John Morton Davey

John Morton Davey, age 90, passed away peacefully on July 12 , 2026 .

John was born on March 18, 1936 , in Havre, Montana; the oldest of 3 children to Woodrow and Virginia Davey. During his early childhood, his family moved throughout the Northwest before settling in Missoula when John was six years old. He attended Paxson School, Missoula County High School, and later Northern Montana College in Havre. Much of his best summer memories growing up were spending time on “The Ranch” at Havre with his cousins.

John had a remarkable mechanical ability and a lifelong love of automobiles, especially hot rods and drag racing when he was younger. One of his favorites was his treasured 1 9 4 8 Olds.

In 1956, John met the love of his life, Carole Reeves. They were married on July 28, 1957, beginning a wonderful life together. They welcomed their son, Dale, in 1958, and two years later their daughter, Judi, completed the family. Mom always joked that he raised her too.

John was a great mechanic and could repair anything. This became the foundation of his career. Over the years, he owned a Union 7 6 service station, served as a buyer for Montana Mercantile, worked as Parts Manager for Treasure State Equipment, and retired as section manager, after 2 5 years with the Montana Highway Department in 1996. No matter where he worked, John was known for his knowledge, strong work ethic, and willingness to help others.

John never met a stranger. He genuinely loved people, and if you had the pleasure of spending time with him, chances are he remembered you as a friend. His easy conversation and sincere interest in others made everyone feel like a friend.

John and Carole built a lifetime of memories together. He taught his family that the roads best traveled were the back roads and he knew every back road in Montana. They loved camping, exploring ghost towns, and boating with their family, and after retirement they traveled extensively throughout the western United States in their RV. They spent many summer weekends at Flathead Lake and even journeyed as far as Tennessee to attend a Square Dance Festival. As longtime members of the Hoe Downers Square Dance Club, they enjoyed many years of dancing and lasting friendships. John especially loved sharing stories from their travels and entertaining family and friends with the photographs he captured along the way. A great photographer, he even built his own darkroom to develop his pictures.

A man of many interests, John found joy in fishing, bottle collecting, snowmobiling, and model railroading. His impressive HO scale train layout became a favorite attraction for his grandchildren, who loved watching the trains wind through the miniature world he had created.

Above all else, John was devoted to his family. Nothing brought him greater happiness than sharing his knowledge, adventures, stories, and hobbies with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His love, generosity, humor, and genuine kindness created memories that

will be treasured for generations. We know how lucky we were to have him as our Dad and Grandpa.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Carole Reeves Davey; his son, Dale (Sandi) Davey of Lolo MT; his daughter, Judi (Ken) Rowley of Simms, MT; his grandchildren, Sheena

(Rob) Jibson, Cory (Brenna) Davey, Nick (Jessica) Davey, Kayla (Tyson) Heiner, and Chad (Brittany) Rowley; seventeen great-grandchildren; his sister, Diana Davey; and his brother, Henry (Susanne) Davey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Virginia Davey.

John will be remembered for his kind heart, his curiosity about the world, his gift for making friends wherever he went, and the deep love he had for his family. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and in the many memories shared by those who loved him.

No services are scheduled at this time. The family will hold a Celebration of Life in the Spring.