Neal Doren Davis

Neal Doran Davis passed on peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 30, 2025. He battled cancer to the very end. Though he was only 65, his life was full and rich with the love of his beloved family and friends.

He was born to Bob and Donna Davis on August 5, 1959, in Glasgow, MT. Neal was the second born of four sons, Mike, Doyle, and Nigel, all of whom now live in Helena, MT. He and his brothers were the best of friends throughout their lives. Growing up in Butte, the boys rode bikes together, went fishing in Blacktail Creek, and hiked in the East Ridge. They would find golf balls in the creek and sell them to golfers at the nearby golf course. Neal loved all things outdoors, including hunting, archery, shooting, reloading, trapping and fishing. Neal became an accomplished motocross racer in his teenage years. He had many trophies from numerous motocross races and won the state championship title in 1978, before a knee injury ended his competition years. Neal and the brothers also went on countless hunting and fishing trips together over the last few decades and their favorite place was "chicken camp". His brothers nicknamed him "Wildman" for his adventurous and mischievous deeds all around Butte as a teenager.

Neal graduated from Butte High School in 1977 and worked for Doug Hubbard at his local service station, learning to be a mechanic. Doug remained a close friend and mentor to Neal and his brothers their whole lives.

He began his taxidermy career in 1983 in Helena, MT. Neal worked for Flexiform Taxidermy Supplies Inc. until moving to Dillon in 1984 where he started his own taxidermy business. He won various awards at taxidermy competitions. He served on the board of the Montana State Taxidermists Guild. At this time, he also began his career at Barretts Minerals in various roles both at the talc plant and then at their mines as a Blast Operator and Heavy Equipment Mechanic before retiring in 2017, after 30+ years.

Neal's first marriage in 1981 blessed him with two daughters: Casey Lynn, born in 1983, and Carey Lee born in 1987. Neal, the brothers, and the girl's Grandpa Lee built the girls' childhood home. Neal was very involved in his daughter's lives throughout their time growing up in Dillon, attending their activities and taking them trapping, fishing, camping, and to hunting camp. Despite his best effort to get his daughters into hunting and trapping, they instead had a greater love of horses, dogs, and rescuing other critters that Neal came to love (though he would rarely admit it).

Neal acquired his private pilot's license in the early 1990's and enjoyed flying along with his father and brothers, his favorite plane being the Cessna 180 that he and his father owned together.

In 1996, Neal met Colleen Rose, the love of his life, soulmate, best friend, and forever hunting partner. She was the only person who could outhunt his numerous trophy elk. After some borderline stalking at archery club events, he convinced her to date him. Their union added Colleen's two daughters, Alicia Nicole and Erin Lynn, to round out their family of four loving daughters. The newly formed family spent many weekends camping, fishing, and playing at the lake. Neal's daughters loved going to check traps with him, fish, and tag along at hunting camp. Colleen and Neal were married in a beautiful ceremony in Jackson Hole, WY on March 10, 2007. They have been sharing life for 28 years and just recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.

Neal and Colleen loved their beautiful property on the Argenta flats outside of Dillon for 25+ years, where they watched wildlife from their deck, raised kids and grandkids, gardened, and where Neal and his family could land airplanes on his very own runway. He and Colleen spent many years hunting trophy game animals in the mountains of southwestern Montana, some of which were record book trophies. He was an official scorer for the Pope and Young Club.

Neal was an amazing "Papa." He spent the last 16 years of his life being a devoted and amazing Papa to his 6 grandchildren, all of whom he dearly loved, and they dearly loved him. One of his special talents was sharing his great humor and making funny noises or jokes that could get the grandkids to laugh and laugh. A teacher at heart, those around him were always learning something new. He taught his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and sons-in-law (who he treated like he would have his own sons), all the things he loved and knew about hunting, trapping, fishing and outdoors, along with his important life values.

Neal is survived by his loving wife, Colleen, daughters Casey Davis (Corey Allen), Carey Davis (Paul Johnson), Alicia Wendland (Eric), Erin Schrader (James), and grandchildren Landen (16), Alydia (13), Layne (12) Cole (11) Wendland, and Mia (4) and Kai (2) Schrader, father Bob Davis (Argie), brothers Mike Davis (Christi), Doyle Davis (Karen), and Nigel Davis (Jami), numerous nieces, nephews, and close relatives, and George Rebich (Linda) one of his dearest friends. He is preceded in death by his mother Donna Davis, mother-in-law Darlene Rose, his Grandpa Benny & Grandma Mertle Howard, Aunt Naida, Uncle Bill, and his good friend Doug Hubbard.

All of us will forever miss our dear Dad, Papa, Husband, Son, Brother, Uncle, and Friend. We will continue to ask ourselves, "What would Neal (Dad, Papa) do?" when faced with life's challenges.

The elk of Beaverhead County (and realistically, all of Montana!) will finally be able to relax.

We invite you to Neal's celebration of life which will be held Friday, May 9th, from 3-7 PM, at Bannack State Park pavilion (721 Bannack Rd, Dillon, MT 59725). Come join us for a campfire, and a hot dog. You are welcome to bring your own beverage. Please bring a camping chair to sit on, and a story to share (if you want).

In lieu of flowers or food, please donate to the Montana Trappers Association at https://www.montanatrappers.org/donate.html or P.O. Box 133, Gilford, MT 59525.