Ronald Davis

Ronald Melvin Davis , 72, of Prineville, Ore., passed away April 18, 2016 at his home in Prineville and joined his daughter Steffany in heaven.

A military burial was held at Juniper Haven Cemetery on April 22, followed by a memorial service at First Baptist Church in Prineville.

Ronald was born Jan. 31, 1944, to Melvin and Maxene Davis in Enterprise. He was raised on a cattle ranch north of Enterprise and went to a one-room country school through the eighth grade. He graduated from Joseph High School in 1962.

He attended Eastern Oregon College for one year. He received his draft notification in 1964, so he enlisted in the Navy, where he served four years during the Vietnam War.

He married Marlene Mustain on Dec. 26, 1970. They had three beautiful daughters: Steffany, Susan and Jennifer.

After his service to his country, Ronald returned to college and earned degrees in education and agriculture. He taught school for four years, first in John Day, later in Harrisburg. Ron and Marlene ran a youth farm for troubled teens near Cottage Grove from 1975-’76. He began his career with the Soil Conservation Service (now called Natural Recourse Conservation Service) in 1980. He worked in McMinnville, Tillamook and Prineville, where he retired in 2005.

The couple also cared for foster children for several years. They have three who have been so close to Ron and his family even today: Angela (Johnson) Goodpaster, Ashley (Johnson) Monroe and Vicki (House) Gonzalez.

Ron loved serving his church and community while working in the First Baptist Church food pantry and the church kitchen and Fellowship Committee for many years. In 2006, he, along with many friends from First Baptist Church and the community of Prineville, helped start the Oasis Soup Kitchen, a service to feed the homeless and hungry.

Ronald is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marlene; his daughter Susan Friesen and son-in-law Mark Friesen of Springfield, Va.; daughter Jennifer Sahnow and son-in-law Andrew Sahnow of Vancouver, Wash.; son-in-law Pepper Woolsey of Prineville; seven grandchildren: Jonathan and Anna Friesen, Arielle, Abigail and Daniel Sahnow, Sawyer and Calvin Woolsey; sister Julie (Davis) Kooch of Enterprise; brother-in-law and sister-in-law David and Kathy Nelson, also of Enterprise; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Maxene Davis, and his precious daughter Steffany (Davis) Woolsey.

Memorial contributions may be made to: First Baptist Church Food Pantry or the Redemption House Ministry in Prineville.