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MAX DAVIS

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Max Davis, age 69, Albany native and longtime Alto, New Mexico resident died in the evening, Saturday, April 24, 2021, surrounded by his family. 

Graveside services with Military Honors and Masonic Rites were held Wednesday, April 28 in Hart Cemetery, south of Breckenridge, with Mark Wilcox officiating. Interment was under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

Born July 20, 1951, in the Breckenridge hospital, he was the youngest of seven siblings and the only one not born at home. His parents Glenn Roe Davis and Lorene Emma Heatley Davis brought up their family on the Elliott Ranch in Shackelford County. Max and his siblings grew up with plenty of cousins and extended family nearby. 

Lawrence Wink­ler, the county extension agent, toted Max and his brothers, Jerry and Jim, across the state as they showed their prized club calves. As a young man growing up in the middle of nowhere, Max excelled in 4-H and later shared his passion with his children as he supported them in their projects, horse shows, and playdays. 

He grew up attending Moran and Albany public schools and graduated from Albany High School in the Class of 1969. Upon graduation, Max and his right-hand man and cousin, Terry, went off to Sul Ross State University. Of course, studying was not on the top of their list, but it was a good adventure for the two of them and made for some great stories that are still told to this day.

Max served in the United States Army from 1971-1973, and following his honorable discharge returned to Albany. Since he was 16 years old, he supported himself cowboying for local ranches, mostly working for the Green, Nail, and Caldwell ranches. He was also a welder by trade and eventually, once he had a growing family, went to work in the then-bustling oilfield for BJ Services and later Koch Oil Company. Max married Cindy Gates and they shared three children, Ami, Bobby, and Jake. Later he married Rebecca Brock and they added Kendal to the mix. With the oil bust, Max transferred with Koch Oil to New Mexico; and later settled in Alto, New Mexico.

Ten yards from his back door was the Lincoln National Forest which was good for his heart as he could saddle up and ride for days in the mountains. His truest calling was that of a horseman and to see that the younger generations were taught horsemanship and a love of riding. Max spent much of his free time breaking horses for kids to ride. In Lincoln County it was known if you had a child who wanted a horse or just wanted to ride you should go see good ‘ol Max. People have said “he was born 100 years too late.” Yes, he was. Max had a passion for preserving the western life of days gone by. He served on the board for the annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium. He took pride in restoring old chuckwagons and he was an award-winning chuckwagon cook with his sourdough biscuits and other fare. 

In 2021, Max returned to Texas to be near his children and most importantly his grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “Pop.” This cowboy lived life far, wide and full of adventure. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Doris Davis Lakeman Hoffman; brothers, Burl Davis, Earl Davis and Jerry Davis; and great-nephew, Benjamin Luke Davis.

Max is survived by his wife, Shirley Davis of the home; children, Ami Davis of Albany, Robert Max Davis of Odessa, Jake Davis of Brownwood and Kendal Davis Weatherbee and husband, John of Lubbock; grandchildren, Madison Davis of Brownwood and Davis Weatherbee of Lubbock; sister, Hazel Williamson of Odessa; brother, Jim Davis and wife, Jan of Breckenridge; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorials be made to Shackelford County 4-H, P.O. Box 2225, Albany, TX 76430. Condolences may be sent online at www.morehartmortuary.net.