Obituary: Courtney Wilford Davis

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Courtney W. Davis, 83, was born on the outskirts of Circleville, Utah, gratefully received on Aug. 7, 1939, by his parents, Wilford Davis and Gaia Peterson Davis.
C.W. grew up with his younger siblings, Tony, Elaine, Eldon and Michael. He attended schools in Richfield, Utah, graduating in 1957. He was a multi-sport athlete with a real passion for swimming and diving.
After high school, C.W. enlisted in the Navy as a communications officer. He also dove on the Navy diving team. After receiving his discharge in 1959, he returned to Utah and worked in the grocery store industry for Safeway Foods. On a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyo., he stopped in the “little burg” of Pinedale and never left.
In 1962, he started Bi-Low Grocery and ran the business with unfettered fervor, typically working well over 100 hours a week. When his business partner pulled up and left him high and dry, he simply picked up the pace and worked multiple jobs to stay afloat. He was a great asset to Faler’s I.G.A. In addition, he used his unique marketing skills to paint signs for local businesses. In 1964, he met and married the love of his life, Sharon K. Schooley. Along with her three children, Ricky, Teresa and Lila, they welcomed the birth of their only child, Michael, in November 1965. Working together, they purchased the Cowboy Bar in 1970 and for the next 43 years they never missed a shift in providing spirits and entertainment to local patrons. As an active member of the community, C.W. sponsored many different local sports teams. The “Black and Gold” Cowboy Bar squads were always outfitted in the finest uniforms and their post-game celebrations were legendary. His weekly “Pinedale Thinking Service” ads that ran in the Roundup were a glimpse into his ultra-conservative ideals and quick wit. C.W. served on the Sublette County Hospital Board during the 1980s and was proud of his many budget-cutting proposals.
C.W. died Dec. 28, at the Sublette Center in Pinedale, at the age of 83. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilford Davis and Gaia Christenson, his brothers Eldon (age 2) and Michael Davis of California, and daughter Teresa (Ditton) Herbert. He is survived by his wife Sharon, Sublette Center, son Ricky Ditton of Rock Springs, Wyo., daughter Lila Golden of Pinedale, Wyo., and son Michael (Jeanne) Davis of Pinedale, Wyo.; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will occur at the Cowboy Bar this summer, date and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sublette County Health Foundation, P.O. Box 627, Pinedale, with the memo: Memory Care Unit in memory of Courtney Davis.