John Henry Davila Sr.

Visitation: from 2-7 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2005 at St. Matthews Catholic Church, with a Vigil following at 7:00 pm

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Gillette

Interment: will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette

John Davila Sr., age 79, died on Friday, February 25, 2005 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital of an extended illness.

John Henry Davila Sr. was born on July 13, 1925 in Julesburg, Colorado the son of Manuel and Beatriz (Jimenez ) Davila. He was raised and educated in Julesburg graduating from Sedgwick County High School in Julesburg. On January 23, 1950 he married Phoebe Sixfeathers in Julesburg, where they lived in Julesburg until 1952. They then moved to Kimball, Nebraska where he worked at Hodges International Implements, and on Hodges farm as a farm hand. In 1951 he went to work for Rogers Oil beginning his career in the oil production industry. This became his passion.

In 1961 he moved his family to Gillette, Wyoming and worked for various oil companies (Leumont Drilling, Thompson Drilling, and Shelby Drilling) working as a derrick hand, driller, tool pusher, and superintendent. In 1983 he retired due to Parkinson's disease.

John Sr. enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his early years his interests included football, track, soccer, and basketball. He was a member of Saint Matthews Catholic Church and was involved with the Knights of Columbus holding various local and state offices. Local offices John held included Grand Knight, District Deputy, Membership Director, Retention Chairman, and Faithful Navigator. State offices John held include State Advocate, State Secretary, and State Treasurer. He was the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Chairman and Director for several years which raised funds for handicap citizens statewide.

John Sr. is survived by his wife Phoebe of Gillette, Wyoming; son, John (Jennifer) Davlia Jr. of Gillette, Wyoming; daughters, Teresa (John) Skinner of Sheridan, Wyoming; Dianah Schlautman of Boone'sville Missouri; Deborah (David) Eldridge Sr. of Gillette, Wyoming; Marsha Niemann of Gillette, Wyoming; Mary Shea of Gillette, Wyoming; Beatriz (Mark) Hochnadel of Gillette, Wyoming; Anne (Mark) Snider of Indian Rivers, Michigan; Danielle (Joe) Spelts of Gillette, Wyoming; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Davila of Arvada, Colorado; brothers, Raphael (Elsa) Davila of Denver, Colorado; and James (Sandy) Davila of Hunnington Beach, California; sisters, Alice (Leo) Garcia of Hunnington Beach, California; and Theresa Davila of Salinas, California; twenty grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Mary Davila, son Manuel Davila and granddaughter Ashlie Snider.