Shortly after we moved, we found out that he was diagnosed with ALS.
He was a great man.
Here's his obit:
Dr. Ted Black Davis (1955-2010)Ted Black Davis, 54, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 23, 2010.
He was born in Salt Lake City on Aug. 23, 1955, to Byron Rigby Davis and Peggy Rae Black Davis. He was the youngest of four children including Robert (Bob) Byron, Donald Harold and Jane Elizabeth. His childhood was spent in several different locations, including Salt Lake City; Logan; Challas, Idaho; Sparks, Nev.; and finally, American Fork. He graduated from American Fork High School, where he served as senior class president.
After high school he served a Spanish-speaking mission to Philadelphia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He then attended Utah State University, where he met his eternal sweetheart, Andrea Ruth Larsen, while singing with the LDS Institute's Sounds of Zion performing group. They were married Sept. 14, 1979, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. After graduating from USU, he studied medicine for two years in Guadalajara, Mexico, and then received his M.D. from the Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich.
He started his medical practice in Logan in 1992, specializing in family medicine. He lived in Hyde Park for seven years before moving to North Logan in 1998. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, during the summer of 2003. He retired from his medical practice in the fall of 2004 right after receiving the Physician of the Year award from the Cache Valley Medical Association.
Ted was a respected and well-loved physician in the Cache Valley medical community. He cared deeply for his patients and their families, and his love was reciprocated by them. He delivered more than 1,200 babies during his 12 years of practice.
He cherished the summers spent working together with his family at the Pickleville Playhouse live theater on the banks of beautiful Bear Lake in Garden City, Utah. He appeared as an actor in numerous productions and assisted in the construction of several of its buildings. He loved to watch his children on the stage and took special care of Pickleville's nightly Western Cookout.
Ted found great joy in the simple things of life. He had a deep love and appreciation for nature and its Creator. Some of his favorite memories happened while camping, hiking, off-road motorcycling, hunting, skiing, cycling and riding his Harley. He was a faithful member of the LDS Church, serving in many different church callings.
He lived seven years after being diagnosed with ALS. Through the course of the disease, he never once complained nor did he spend a single day in self-pity. With unearthly patience and dignity, he found ways to serve and inspire those around him while honorably loving and caring for his family. The effects of his faithful example cannot be measured.
As Ted always said, "ICBW" (it could be worse), "CYMB" (count your many blessings), "123" (I love you), "Daylight's a-wastin'," and "Forget yourself and go to work."
He is survived by his wife, Andrea; sons T.J. (wife Erin Cartwright) and Derek; daughters Chelsea (husband J.R. Haynie), Sharli (husband Andy King), Whitney, Tyrali and Makenzie; and mother-in-law Betty June Larsen. He was "Papa Wee" to grandchildren Carter, Tanner, Elliot, Hayden, Brooklyn and Mckenna. He was preceded in death by his parents Byron and Peggy, father-in-law LaGrande C. Larsen, and grandchildren Lydia and Landon Haynie. He will be missed by many other family members, close friends and colleagues too numerous to name. His family wishes to express their appreciation for the overwhelming amount of support and love they have received during Ted's disease and since his passing.
