Donald Fletcher Davies, known to many as Don, Slim, Stinky but mostly Cinch, left this world at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, July 13th after a long battle against cancer. He was born on October 4, 1952, to Stan and Hilda Davies in Missoula, joining Stan’s older children, Bruce and Susan, later to be joined by brother JD and sisters Vicky and Leann. The family lived in Missoula and Polson before settling in Ennis. Cinch graduated from Ennis High School in 1971, lettering in basketball and track his senior year.
In November of that year, he enlisted in the US Navy, giving his mom a phone call to let her know he was shipping out. He was assigned to the USS Hollister before being assigned to the USS Long Beach. While serving during the Vietnam War, he earned several medals and commendations.
After the service, he returned to Ennis for a short time before joining The Montana Power Company in 1976, landing in Butte, to work as a Communications Technician. He remained at the company for 37 years, retiring in 2013 from Northwestern Energy, making many friends and finding the love of his life, Bonnie Matthews, along the way.
Thanks to a company bowling tournament, they started dating and were married on March 27, 1981, when he became a dad to her son, Neil. Over the next 40 years they shared many adventures, from camping and riding ATVs in the forests of Montana to snorkeling in the ocean off the Hawaiian coasts and cruising the Caribbean Sea to finally finding a retirement spot in Apache Junction, AZ to snow bird during the cold Montana winters.
If you knew Cinch, you knew he never sat still for long. He could often be found taking a walk, puttering in the garage, fixing his ATVs, swimming in pretty much any body of water, or running around with his grandson, Hunter, and all of his nieces and nephews.
Cinch is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie, who took care of him until the very end, his son Neil LaPalm and his wife Heidi, and grandson, Hunter Dixon, brothers Bruce Davies and his wife Gail, JD Davies, sisters Vicky Eblen and her husband Lance, and Leann Leyva, sisters and brothers in law, Charlotte and Dar Noyes, Kay and Denny Sullivan, Carol and Rich Henningsen, Don Matthews, and Debbie and Kirk Petersen. He’s also survived by many beloved nephews and nieces and their children and best buddies Lewie, Joe, and Dano. His little partner, granddog Marty, who rested his head on those big feet for hours, will miss him too.
His parents and sister-in-law Linda Matthews preceded him in death.
A Celebration of Life for Cinch will be at the Copper King Grand Ballroom on Sunday, August 1st at 1pm. Any and all who knew Cinch are invited to join us in this celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donation to Camp Mak-A-Dream or a charity of choice.
Cinch loved his wife deeply and was a good man, who raised a good man, who raised another good man. And really, what better mark can a man leave on this earth?
A Strong Man
He will not let anyone see the terrors he holds inside
Yet, he is not afraid to cry
He is strong for everyone else on the outside
Always there for whoever is in need
He is a rock, he knows no greed
So sincere in all he does
Kindness is all his heart knows
He is a Strong Man, the strongest I have ever known
Gentle is his eyes, his generosity flies
Soars beyond the skies
He is real and that is rare
Positively one of a kind
A caring father
A respectful son
A loving lover
A Strong Man
-Ashley Dowdy
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Cinch.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Cinch and his family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Sunday August 1, 2021
Copper King Grand Ballroom
4655 Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Sunday August 1, 2021
Copper King Grand Ballroom
4655 Harrison Ave.
Butte, Montana 59701
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Gary Helming says
Cinch was and likely still is a kind, humorous and loyal friend of a man, who always loved what he was doing. I worked with him for about 20 years, and never saw him have a bad attitude about doing anything . Even if you had to call him and send him out in a snow cat to a mountain top microwave station, in a blizzard, in the middle of the night, he went there with an attitude like “This is the most fun thing I could possibly be doing!” You would cringe even asking him to go to such a place but he always went there like you were sending him on vacation!
He was sure a friend to me and we shared many conversations about this or that. If it needed to be a private conversation, we did it on the roof of the SOCC! I will sure miss him, but whenever I need a laugh or a warm thought or some inspiration to do something that I really don’t want to do, I will think of him. That will fix me right up!
All the best Cinch, warm up the heavenly snowcat: We’ll see you when we get there!
Gary Helming-Butte
Pat/Donna Burns says
Cinch is indeed a wonderful man, great husband,and loyal friend. He will be sadly missed by all. Please know you are all in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Henningsen says
Dear Bonnie and family, Our hearts and thoughts are with you…Cinch got to be part of the House building gang in our family and certainly was talented. He may just be tinkering away now on a project in a better place. Richard kept us up on his care and how much everyone was standing close to Bonnie as well. Fred and Kathy Henningsen
Joe Corak says
Uncle Stink,
I’ll miss you my brother!
Love ya,
Joseph
Tom Earhart says
Cinch You we’re 1 of a kind which is sad We need a lot more like you. And what a team you and Bonnie made. I am forever grateful for having known you and will never forget you until we meet again. Be at peace. Tom
Larry Colvin says
This world is a better place because of Cinch. He was truly one of the good ones and will be missed by so many who new him. May God bless Bonnie and all of Cinch’s family.
Don Scott says
Bonnie and family. It is with great sadness to hear of Cinch’s passing. He was always smiley and cheerful, whatever the task at hand. I had the pleasure of working with him for many years at the power company. He will be greatly missed among all of our friends. I wish you and your family the best in this time of sorrow. Rest In Peace Cinch.
Don and Geraldene Scott
David Kitts says
So sad. One of the best Tech’s I ever knew. We worked together for many years. We were part of a team that accomplished many things that others only dream of. Cinch will always be the standard that I compare other Tech’s to and so far I have have not found any better. Quick learner, exemplary work ethic, good nature and fun to be around. A significant loss to the craft. True to Bonnie’s nature she stuck with him to the end. Love them both. He will be missed by many.
David and Lynne Kitts
Lil Debbie says
My uncle Stinky was great! He put up with me getting pink eye – in both eyes! – every year my brother and I stayed with him and auntie Babe while my parents traveled. I will always remember him drinking a beer in one hand while holding the rest of the the box in his other hand or standing around the cooking pit with the rest of the guys to make sure the fire never went out most of the night while camping while drinking beer or in later years with a gin and tonic (Christmas trees). He is so loved and so missed and I just want to say goodbye
Travis Krueger says
I’ll Miss you alot and love you.
Travis
Jeanne Robinson says
Bonnie, Sorry to hear of Cinchs’ passing. I send my sympathy to you and your family. I did not know Cinch well but I always enjoyed his wonderful smile and great attitude.
Jeanne Robinson
Leaona Anderwald Dorcheus says
Bonnie, I only know Cinch through my husband John but he always thought a lot of him. He loved working with him and the rest of the crew. John will be seeing him in heaven. I got to know you, Bonnie, and I treasure that. Take care and God bless you and your family.
Carl and Marge Thoutt says
Bonnie
So sorry for your loss sending prayers your way
Take care and bless you your family and Friends
Edouard DeLater says
Love you, Uncle Cinch. You will be missed. Rest In Peace, you were loved and you touched so many hearts.
Art Mikkola says
It was hard to believe when I heard about Cinch’s passing. He was always so full of life and humor. I remember the jobs where we had a lot of laughs during some of the worst working conditions. Hiking into Pat’s Knob when the snow cat could not make it any farther carrying a heavy RF monitor for a mile up the mountain. Splicing cable in Hamilton outside in sub zero temperatures while trying to stay warm in the tent. Having snow go down the back of your neck when climbing an icy tower. It was always a joy to work with someone who could make these trying times bearable. Cinch will be missed.
Joel Shows says
I just found this obit of Don while looking for my Brothers obit in the Mt Standard. I am saddened by the loss of “Slim”. Loved the man. We had many memories after he moved to Ennis his jr year. We both were canyon rats as both our dads worked for MPC. We both found our lives and lost touch. God test his soul and our hearts are with Bonnie and all his family.