PIERRE, SD – Herbert Ray Davis, known affectionately as Herb by his friends and family, left us for his heavenly reward on March 24, 2024, in Pierre, South Dakota. Born on October 1, 1928, near Helena, Oklahoma, to Homer and Ruby (Riggs) Davis. Herb’s life was a testament to his faith, family, and service. A Memorial Celebration of Herb’s life will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Madison Avenue Church of Christ.

Herb grew up in Oklahoma, attended Pleasant Ridge country school, and graduated from Helena High School in 1946, leaving a mark as an outstanding baseball player nicknamed “DiMaggio” by his coach for his “home run or strike out” batting prowess. His thirst for knowledge took him to Abilene Christian University and then to Oklahoma State University, where he completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1951.

After a term in graduate school, Herb’s path led him north when his father flew him to Nebraska where he taught veterans at a Farm Training School in Paxton. It was during this chapter of his life that Herb met the pretty brown eyed girl Jane, at a church service. Their romance blossomed, and despite being drafted into the Army during the Korean War, their love endured. He was inducted into the Army in Fort Sill, OK. After basic training in Signal Corps at Camp Gordon, Herb was selected to transfer to Teletype operations and was stationed at SHAPE Headquarters Signal Corps Operations in Paris, France. While stationed there, his family begged him not to marry a French girl. Herb did buy an engagement ring in Paris and came back to the states and promptly proposed to Betty Jane French, a story he loved to tell with a wink, declaring that he was determined to marry a French girl after all. Herb and Betty “Jane” French united in marriage on March 7, 1954, in Hayes Center, Nebraska, embarking on a journey that would span 70 beautiful years. In 1957, Herb began his distinguished career with the USDA Soil Conservation Service, a role that saw him and his growing family move to South Dakota. His commitment to conservation and resource management led him to various positions in Mission, Fort Pierre, Yankton, and Pierre, culminating in his role as Area Resource Conservationist before his retirement in 1987.

Herb’s dedication to his faith was unwavering. In his youth he made the decision to be baptized into Christ and became a faithful lifelong Christian. Since moving to Pierre in the 1960’s he was an active member of the Madison Avenue Church of Christ, serving as a teacher, song leader, fill-in preacher, elder, and deacon. His spiritual journey even took him to Nairobi, Africa, on a mission trip in 1994. After retirement, he served as a volunteer for the World Bible School. His engagement with the community extended through his involvement with organizations such as the Soil & Water Conservation Society of America, Toastmasters International, the SHINE program, Wetland Identification (NRI), NARFE, and the golfers duffer league.

Herb practiced mindfulness long before it became popular. He never hurried but proceeded at his own pace to the frustration of family and friends. As the family waited for him in the car for church, he might decide to change his tie, socks or shave some missed whiskers. At Christmas, he obliged the family to sing a half-hour of Christmas songs before the opening of presents. When taking a photo, he insisted on a slow count of 1..2..3.. before snapping the shutter. His mindfulness allowed him to savor the moment or spend time with any who crossed his path. He spent hours with friends, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, giving them full attention, letting them do whatever thing they wanted to do; making them feel important. He was slow to anger unless you failed to return his tools to their appropriate location or were a pesty bug in his garden. Only a few saw Herb riled up. Perhaps this was his secret to living 95 years.

Make no mistake, Herb had a wild, mischievous side. Growing up, he loved teasing the farm pigs, chickens, and cats. In his early twenties, Herb and a cousin took a round trip from Oklahoma to California riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle, sleeping by the side of road. On Saturday mornings, he would wake his two children at 7:30 playing Revelry on his trumpet. He loved April Fool’s Day, deceiving his family into believing in a yarn. He purchased and drove an (alarmingly) bright orange El Camino, dubbed “The Pumpkin” by his grandkids. One day he came home announcing he had impulsively bought land east of town. When family asked for details, he produced a receipt for his burial plot, and he thought it was hilarious. Whenever he could get away with it, He ate dessert first (or sometimes, only). He enjoyed playing Yahtzee and with his luck, should have gone to Vegas. He forwarded hundreds of emails in his later years to avoid the curse that came with breaking the chain. The family apologizes to the multitudes of recipients.

Herb’s laugh was contagious, as was his faith and compassion. Though he experienced early tragedies he chose to fill his broken heart with service to others, love of family and faithfulness to the Lord’s church. He was and will always be a shining example of what it means to be a good man, husband, father, grandpa, and a great “GG.”

Herb is survived by his devoted wife, Betty “Jane” Davis of Pierre; his two children, Ray (Cindy) Davis of Santa Clarita, CA, and Cynda Curtis of Pierre; his sister Cathy (Michael) Rowten of Edmund OK, his five grandchildren, Philip Davis (Siobahn Stiles) Baltimore MD, Amy (Dennis) Neves of Lakeville MA, Erin (Matt) Davis/Wilding of Hyde Park, MA, Holly (Joey) Garrett of Pierre and Kelcy (Riley) Chohon of Norfolk, NE, thirteen great-grandchildren, Madeira, Eliza, Xandre, Emily, Lincoln, Kevery, Layna, Jerica, Jack, Jason, Carleigh, Kimball, & Riggs, and numerous loved relatives, church family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Betty and Patty Jo, and his great-granddaughter, Ryn.

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