Roy Lafay Davis

Roy was born in El Reno, OK to Charles Henry and Martha Luetta (Penuel) Davis. He was raised in Fort Reno, OK with his 4 older siblings, Rilla Mae, E.S, (Dude), Pearl, and Charles Jefferson (Jeff), where their father was stationed.

As a young man, Roy enjoyed the simple life in rural Oklahoma.  He had eyesight difficulties from birth, then lost an eye due to injury as a child.  This did not deter him from enjoying hard work, motorcycles, and competing in water-skiing. Roy worked in oil fields, building and servicing rigs in Texas, New Mexico, and Wyoming.  He worked for Rocky Mountain Rental Tool as a pipe straightener. After working a job in the Casper, WY area, he stayed and attended Casper College, taking math, psychology, and carpentry courses.  He then worked for Mountain States Builders.  His crew built over 600 homes in the Casper area.

Following retinal detachments and surgery on his remaining eye, he then experienced the full loss of his vision in 1959.   He trained at the Seeing Eye Institute in New Jersey, where he received Etta, his first beloved Seeing Eye dog.  He worked in hospital radiology developing x-ray film, operated a newsstand, then traveled to study in Fort Worth, TX and Shreveport, LA to become a Health Club Director.  He was hired for that role at the Casper, WY YMCA.                                   

Roy became interested in the stock market, and studied for the Registered Representative exam, which he passed with a remarkably high score.  He worked at United Securities and ultimately became a highly successful broker at First Western Securities in Casper.  His coworkers marveled at how he did math in his head faster than they could with their calculators. When his dog passed away, he received Abe, a wonderful German Shepherd to assume that role.   Abe guided Roy to and from work and was well-loved throughout the community.  Roy’s coworkers considered Abe to be an additional staff member at the firm.

Roy met the love of his life, Carol, through mutual friends.  They were married in October 1979 at their new home in Casper.  Roy retired from First Western Securities and chose to settle in Story, WY, where he built much of their new home. Roy and Carol introduced their two beloved granddaughters to summertime work and play in the trees, rocks, and creek.  Christmastime in Story was also a magical time together.  Roy and Carol moved to Sheridan in 1996.

Throughout his life, Roy amazed friends, family, and medical providers with his ability to navigate and live a very full life without eyesight.  Many who met him had no idea that he could not see them.  He recognized hundreds of voices by a simple greeting.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.  He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol, his 5 bonus children: Judith Vos-Ferneau of Butte, MT; Miriam Nance (Tom) of Sheridan, WY; Linda Simbro (Burt) of Monroe, IA; Maureen Vos of Sheridan, WY; and Michael Vos of Oskaloosa, IA. He is also survived by his cherished granddaughters: Lesley DeRenzo (Patrick) of Boston, MA and Vanessa Stewart of Breckenridge, CO.

Roy was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Sheridan, WY, where his service is at 10:00 am, Thursday, November 21, 2024, with Pastor Karl Heimbuck officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service.

Memorials to honor Roy may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2121 Colonial Drive, Sheridan, WY 82801. Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.