John Randolph Davis

John Randolph Davis, 94, of Boise, Idaho, passed away at his childhood home while working on his Ford Model A, on October 28, 2025. John spent a beautiful sunny day visiting his “gang” of friends (made and valued after his wife’s passing), and speaking with his children throughout the day. He was born and raised in Boise Idaho on December 06, 1930 to Paul (the smartest man he had ever known, and with a photographic memory) and his beloved mother Gladys (Stiles) Davis. John grew up not missing a Sunday at First Baptist Church. He graduated from Boise High School class of 1949, attended Boise Junior College and Treasure Valley Community College after serving in the US AirForce. John was stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force base and trained as a Base Electrical Inspector during the Korean War. During John’s time in the US AirForce he was stationed in Okinawa Japan in 1951 returning October 16, 1953. On his return home, the airmen were placed on a navy ship, being an airmen he was easily seasick. By chance, two friends and classmates from Boise High School, Joe Thomas and Richard Vaughn were serving aboard the vessel. These former Braves and service members made sure he had a constant supply of saltine crackers making the homecoming transport far more bearable. While home on leave, and upon his return from Korea he met the love of his life, Barbara Jean Baker of Parma Idaho, in his hometown of Boise. Barbara was attending and living in The Towers at Boise Junior College (BSU). After marrying they moved to Cheyenne WY, where he had been stationed briefly after his tour in Korea. Upon his return to civilian life he and Barbara moved to Nyssa, Oregon where they welcomed 3 children into their lives. James Randolph (Randy), Pamela Sue (Susan)Mosqueda, and Judy Ann Davis. John utilized the skills learned while in the air force to a career at Mountain States Telegraph and Telephone Nyssa and Ontario, Oregon Communication Service Man until retirement. John volunteered for the Nyssa Fire Department of Oregon and YellowPine, Idaho. Following his retirement and the high school graduation of his youngest daughter, he and Barbara moved to Yellow Pine, Idaho. John acted as the Secretary, Treasurer of Snake River Valley Racing Association in Boise for 3 years and Secretary, Treasurer in Yellow Pine. Having built their riverside cabin with his wife, children and future son-in-law, Luis. Once in Yellow Pine, John enjoyed working in the gold room at the Superior Oil Mining Company Stibnite, Idaho as a refiner and Supervisor often along side family including Luis. John worked for Krassel Ranger Station on the South Fork of the Salmon River while in YellowPine. John shared a love of racing and all things Ford. He and Barbara spent time in their own race cars, he behind the wheel of the The Pink Lady, eventually traveling to many large races throughout the country as observers of the Winston Cup and Indianapolis 500. John and Barbara had a fondness and love for the Oregon coast, travel and snowbirding in Henderson, Nevada and Havasu, Arizona. When John was home or at his cabin he could be found in his shop working on one of his numerous car projects. John and Barbara opened their cabin, hosting friends and family making all feel loved and welcome. John would share stories of his adventures, raising a family, camping or Jeeping with his children, hunting, snowmobiling in the back country, time in Korea and of his days running wild in Boise. Barbara would serve a delicious meal and dessert while wings heard saying, “Oh Johnny” accompanied by a room full of laughter. John lost his wife in July of 2020 after 66.5 years of marriage and would be quick to state it was “not long enough.” John also could be heard boasting about how he was proud of his children for being such good citizens. Additionally sharing his gratitude for their emotional support stating, he wouldn’t know what he would do without his family. John was an excellent example to his family of resilience, and bending the rules just enough while maintaining propriety. John was extremely intelligent and took meticulous detailed notes of his experiences, and itemized his collections and projects. John was an avid reader of history and consumer of knowledge, an inventive fabricator and author to numerous articles published in Hot Rod Magazine. John looked forward to his weekly drives with Judy and Susan’s home cooked meals either eating with family or delivered to his home. John spent day trips to Firebird or Sumpter swap-meets to search for drills and see friendly faces with either his son in-law, Luis or grandson in-law, Sean. John was proceeded in death by his wife Barbara, his father Paul Davis of Utah, mother Gladys Stiles of Wisconsin. Sisters; Marilyn and brother in-law Bob Roberts of Reno, Amy and brother in law Gerald Hyde , brother Richard, brother in-law Art Isaac of Mountain Home, Idaho. Great-grandsons and namesakes, Davis and John Mosqueda of Boise. John is survived by his sister Pauline Isaac and her children of MountainHome. His son James Randolph and wife MaryJean of Roseville, CA. Their son Ben and wife Stephanie Davis and their 2 children of Sparks, NV. Daughter, Heidi and husband Mike Mathews and their 5 children of ShowLow, AZ. Their son, Ryan and wife Mary Davis and their 4 girls of Spanish Fork, UT. Daughter Katie and husband Matt Zlaket and their 1 child of Roseville, CA. Son Stuart and wife Samantha Davis and their 2 children of Crofton, MD. And their 6th child, Alexandra Davis of Roseville, CA. John and Barbara’s daughter Pamela Sue her husband Luis Mosqueda of Boise and their children John and first wife had 4 children and John with his 2nd wife Dominique Mosqueda of Payette, and their 2 children. Heather her husband Sean Crist of Boise and their 2 children. And their 3rd child, Lindsay Mosqueda of Boise, ID. John and Barbara’s youngest child, Judy and husband Steve Carlin of Marsing, Idhao and their 2 children, Bryce and his child of Kuna, Idaho. Daughter Brittany and husband Matt Summerfield of McCall, Idaho. John Randolph Davis, will be greatly missed by those that were so blessed to call him theirs.