June 15, 1949 - March 14, 2024
Bradenton, Florida -
Barry Brendan Davis, (74), of Bayfield, Colorado, went to his heavenly home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 14, 2024, in Palmetto, FL. His daughter, Stacey, was with him when he passed quickly and painlessly of cardiac arrest at home.
Barry was born on June 15, 1949, in Richmond, Indiana to George and Marilyn Davis. He grew up primarily in New Paris, Ohio, and started working in the construction business when he was a teenager. He continued in this line of work when he moved his family to southwestern Colorado in 1978. He established Davis Construction at Vallecito Lake where he built many custom homes and worked on other construction projects over the next 25 years.
When he retired from construction, Barry continued to pursue his interest in working with guns and became a gunsmith, learning from several mentors in his area. He continued their legacy by becoming a mentor to other men who wanted to learn the craft. He loved being in his shop and sharing his love of gunsmithing with others. He was a patient, kind, and generous man and teacher, who was organized, conscientious, had an eye for all details, and precision in all his work. He had a great sense of humor, thought the best of everyone he met, and was always ready to be helpful. He was a genuinely nice person and had a quiet, gentle, thoughtful, spirit that was reflected in his soft-spoken voice. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Barry is survived by his daughter, Stacey (Thomas) Chaise of Palmetto, FL; Stacey's mother, Kathy Straw of Bayfield, CO; brothers, Tim Davis of Fairborn, OH; John (Debbie) Smelser of Sarasota, FL; Phillip (Cheryl) Smelser of Burnsville, NC; Nathaniel Smelser of Bradenton, FL; step-mother, Margaret Smelser of Bradenton, FL; numerous other family members and a large family of dear friends in Bayfield, CO and the Four Corners area.
Barry was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, John Franklin Smelser; and brother, David Clinton Smelser.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Suncoast Baptist Church, 1816 10th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221. There will also be a Memorial Service in Colorado in June.
