Donald Linton Davis, 83, died Thursday, December 11, 2008 in Sioux Falls following a brief illness.

Visitation will be at 5-7 p.m. on Sunday Dec. 14 and the memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday Dec. 15, both at Calvary Cathedral Episcopal Church.

Don was born June 18, 1925 in Fargo, ND and moved to Sioux Falls at a young age. After graduating from Washington High School, he served in the 80th Infantry Division and was subsequently captured in France and interred as a POW in Germany for over 7 months. During his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge. He graduated from USD Law School in 1950. Don married Cara Lee Cornelius on January 27, 1951.

Don was co-founder of Culbert-Davis Insurance Company, where he worked until his retirement in 1985. Culbert–Davis Insurance was known as one as one of the top insurance agencies in the state. He was certified as the first CPCU in South Dakota. He also served as president of the Sioux Falls and South Dakota Insurance Agents Association as well as the state national director of the National Association of Insurers.

Don was active in numerous civic organizations including Leif Ericson Day Camp, Lion's Club, Y's Men's Club, USD Foundation, and the YMCA, where he and Cara Lee had a combined membership of 100 years. He and Cara Lee received the Inman Award for Distinguished Service in 2003 from the USD Foundation. The 80th Infantry Division recently promoted him to honorary Colonel.

Known for his optimism and ever-present smile, he enjoyed his family, world travel, playing cards with his wife and buddies, hunting, and racquetball.

In addition to his wife Cara Lee, Don is survived by a brother-in-law Louis Cornelius, 4 children and their spouses: Dr. John Baillie Davis and wife Stephanie (St. Paul), Dr. Laura Davis Keppen (Sioux Falls), Dr. Diane Davis Davey and spouse David (Orlando), and Dr. Daniel Cornelius Davis (Wichita). He has 6 granddaughters, 5 grandsons, and one great-granddaughter.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Deane and Marjorie, brothers John and Chuck, and sister Alice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Camp Leif Ericson Endowment through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation or the Don and Cara Lee Davis medical school scholarship at the USD Foundation.