Owyhee County Commissioners Jerry Hoagland, George Hyer, and Dick Freund announce the posthumous selection of Don Davis and Gene Davis to the Commissioners’ Roster of Outstanding Citizens. Don and Gene Davis displayed equally extraordinary commitment to Owyhee County and to the Community of Bruneau in which they lived much of their lives.

Both Davis brothers moved to southwest Idaho as very young boys and quickly began performing the work of men as they helped their father on the family dairy farm near Kuna. Both grew to be responsible hardworking young men, whose love of country was shown by their enlistment in the US Army during WW II. Both served with distinction in difficult theaters of the war. Gene served in the European Theater and was a combatant in the Battle of the Bulge. Don served in the Pacific Theater where equally bloody battles raged. Both brothers were recipients of the Purple Heart for wounds received in battle.

Both brothers returned from the war and went back to their farming and ranching pursuits while maintaining the strong sense of  commitment to community and country which would be a significant part of their actions for the remainder of their lives. They began ranching in the Little Valley area of Bruneau in 1950 and established the Bruneau Cattle Company in 1959.

A listing of some of the many accomplishments of these two fine men are as follows:

  • Don Davis:
    • Member of Bruneau American Legion Post #83: 64 years
    • Past President of Owyhee Cattlemen’s Association.
    • Owyhee County Commissioner for 20 years.
    • Bruneau Rodeo Sec/Treas. for 8 years.
    • Owyhee County Fair Board Member.
    • Member of the Owyhee County Planning Board and Owyhee County
    • Natural Resources Committee.
    • N.R.C.S.
    • Selective Service for 8 years.
    • Grassman of the year : 1964
    • Grand Marshal of Bruneau Rodeo in 1987.
    • Boy Scout Leader for Bruneau Boy Scout Troop #1 for many years.
  • Gene Davis:
    • Member of Bruneau American Legion Post #83 for 64 years and ultimately served as served as Commander and Chaplain of Post #83
    • Past President of Owyhee Cattlemen’s Association, Idaho Cattle
    • Association, Cattle-Fax, and the U of I Agricultural Consulting Council.
    • Member of the Owyhee County Planning Board and Natural Resources Committee
    • Grassman of the year : 1964
    • Member of the National Cattlemen’s Assoc. Executive Committee
    • Chairman of the Boise District Grazing Advisory Board, Boise District
    • Multiple Use Advisory Board, Bruneau-Grand View School District
    • Board, Bruneau River Soil Conservation District, and the Owyhee County ASCS Committee
    • Director of the Western Idaho PCA and the American National
    • Cattlemen’s Association
    • Represented Idaho on the National Public Lands Council.

The Award was presented to members of the Davis family at 10:30 am on July 6th at the Owyhee County Courthouse.

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