The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Thomas Duane Davis died on Jan. 7, 2021 while in care at the North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley due to complications with COVID.

Tom was born on Nov. 24, 1947 in Haxtun to his parents Andrew and Opal (Marvin) Davis. He attended Haxtun Schools and graduated from Haxtun High School in 1966. He loved playing sports, playing drums in the band and singing in the choir. Tom earned certification from the Police Academy and the Sheriff's Academy. Tom was a member of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, Colorado Law Enforcement Officers Association, Colorado State Firefighters Association, Phillips County Sheriff's Department, Town of Haxtun Police Department, Haxtun Volunteer Fire Department, Haxtun Ambulance Service, Haxtun United Methodist Church, Haxtun Lion's Club, Haxtun Masonic Lodge No. 164, Shriners and the Haxtun Booster Club.

Tom's father died while he was in the fourth grade and he and his five older brothers were raised by an amazing mother in a one-bedroom house in Haxtun. He learned responsibility early, helping at home and doing odd jobs to help with the family finances. Tom married his wife, Theresa Irene Harms on Nov. 5, 1966 and was employed at various jobs until he turned 21 and joined the Haxtun Police Department. He stayed in that job until Dec. 31, 1974 when he ran for Sheriff and was elected in Phillips County. He was in the Sheriff's Department until August of 1977 when he resigned to become Police Chief in Haxtun. Too much politics, is what he used to say about the Sheriff's office.

Tom remained Police Chief in Haxtun until he retired in August 1998. Many citizens recall the help he provided as a police officer at all times of need. Teenagers recall him keeping an eye on them, telling them to go home, when it was time; and sometimes following them to make sure they made it. Tom displayed responsibility, respect and cared deeply for his community, being a strong, positive role model for many. He was a fireman for 30 years and an EMT for the Haxtun Ambulance for many years. Following retirement, Tom worked for the Haxtun Hospital District and the Phillips County Road & Bridge for another 18 years. Tom, as a Shriner, also sponsored many trips for Haxtun students to attend the Circus in Denver.

Tom was a family man and proud father. Three children were born from Tom and Theresa's union, Kim (Davis) Turney in 1967, Tamara (Davis) Durbin in 1969 and Tommy Davis in 1972. He loved watching his children play sports, participate in school and community activities and was proud to video-tape all of these special moments with his children.

Many of Tom's weekends were spent remodeling at either his home or one of his brothers' homes. The cousins all got to spend a lot of time together. He was a great carpenter in his spare time and he loved taking family trips and camping in Poudre with all the Davis crew every year. He and his wife, Theresa, nearly made it to all 50 states and visited Mexico and Canada. As a couple, they enjoyed cruises and photo books are full of beautiful memories from these trips and experiences.

Through the years, he gained 10 grandchildren. He loved to rock the babies, but they finally figured out that if they crawled into his chair with him, they would fall asleep. He was an excellent whistler, which he tried to instill into them. He loved watching his grandchildren excel in sports, activities and school and travelled with groups of his grandchildren to different locations for vacations, making enduring, lasting memories. He instilled in them a feeling of accomplishment and was incredibly proud of the young adults they are.

After his retirement, he needed the T-shirt that said, "I'm not really retired, because now I work for my wife." Tom helped Theresa with her childcare business throughout their entire married life. He would fix broken toys, build things, rock the babies to sleep and treated all the daycare children like family. Many children benefitted from his guidance and love.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years Theresa (Harms) Davis; children Kim (Davis) and husband Dan Turney, Tamara (Davis) and husband Jeff Durbin and Tommy and wife Dana (Pierce) Davis, all of Haxtun; brother Will Davis and wife Andrea, Hudson; grandchildren Josh Turney, Wales, United Kingdom, Jayden (Durbin) Miracle and husband Chad as well as soon to be great-grandchild baby Miracle, Sterling, Jordyn Turney and fiancé David Alkire, Greeley, Andrew Davis, in the Navy and stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Brandon Durbin, Sterling, Brooklyn Davis, Denver, and Hailey Durbin, Christopher Durbin, Jerron Turney and Ryan Davis, all of Haxtun; his wife's family including brothers Virgil and Eloise Harms, Paoli, and Dennis and Donna Harms, Imperial, Neb.; sister, Lorraine Green, Julesburg, and many nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents; brothers Dean Davis, Gene Davis, George Davis, Jim Davis and their spouses; and granddaughter Sydney Durbin, infant daughter of Jeff and Tamara Durbin.

Memorials to the Tom Davis Memorial Fund can be mailed to 202 Westridge, Haxtun, CO 80731.