Merle Augustine Davis

July 25, 1956 - May 31, 2015

Our beloved husband, father and friend passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on May 31, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born in Los Angeles, CA on July 25, 1956, he was the second of eight boys born to Mary Jane and Augustine Davis. As a child he lived in Tuba City, AZ and Salt Lake City, UT. Starting at age 12 he spent six years in Shelley, Idaho with the John and Frances Harker family where he attend school and enjoyed country living, basketball, football and excelled in wrestling as a member of the varsity team as a sophomore. Music was his biggest love. He played the guitar since childhood and played in bands in Arizona, Utah, Idaho and throughout the country. “We love you, Merle. Keep on playing.” Merle spent most of his adult life in Salt Lake City, Utah. Throughout his life he loved to work, keep busy and contribute. His skills included contributing to the beautiful interior finish carpentry work we enjoy at the LDS Conference Center, Bountiful Temple, local Dillard’s stores and many beautiful homes in the Park City area. He also enjoyed the profession of spray painting finish to cars. Everywhere Merle went, people loved him. He had a great love for his family and friends and especially his children. They speak of feeling safe and secure in his arms. He was full of faith and hope and had a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – which faith he says he gained from his foster father, John Harker and family. He looks forward, with his special gift of hope and faith, to being with his family and friends throughout eternity. His spirit lives on. “You’re #1, Dad. After a long and courageous battle with liver disease, may you rest in paradise. We love you and will miss you until we meet again.” He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers - Melvin, Calvin, Ervin, Everett, Marvin and son, Elijah (mother Nadine). He is survived by his wife, Shellie Marchbanks Davis and children - Tyler (mother – Janet), Mary (mother – Nadine), Natasha (mother – Tamara), Isaiah, Jacob, Rachel and Sarah (mother – Bonnie), stepchildren Madi, Jentry, Beau and Ryan, 8 grandchildren and two brothers - Hank and Alvin. A special thanks to Alex Davis who blessed and prepared Merle for his journey into the next realm beyond this mortal life. We forever thank him for that. Also, a special thanks to Merle's brother Hank and the Harker and Marchbank families for their generous contributions as well as the past and present LDS wards for providing for the family luncheon after the interment as well as the much needed emotional support. Funeral services are Saturday 12:00 noon with a public visitation 11:00-11:45 am and a private family visitation from 10:00–11:00 am at the Winder 7th Ward LDS Chapel, 4350 South 1100 East. Interment at the Murray City Cemetery.