Our hearts ache for the Davis family - one of the finest we've ever known. They will have to wait a little longer now to be reunited with their missionary son.
Elder Jace Davis
Elder Jace Edwards Davis, 21, from Logandale, Nev., and his companion, Elder McKay Choy Burrows, 20, from Highland, Utah, died sometime during the night after going to bed.
"We extend our love and sympathy to the elders' families and friends," said Scott Trotter, Church spokesman, in a release. "We pray that the Spirit of the Lord will bring them peace and comfort at this difficult time."
Elder Burrows and Elder Davis had planned on serving a full-time mission their entire lives. They were great examples to all ages of people who loved their missions and loved serving the Lord, said their family members and friends.
Elder Davis had been serving his mission for just over a year at the time of his death. "He had a very fun personality," said Herb Waite, who replaced Jace's dad, Larry Davis, as bishop of the Logandale 3rd Ward a few weeks ago. "I was his Young Men president. He was one of those kids that had a good personality, that got along with everybody. He was a real clever, smart kid." Known for his love of practical jokes, Elder Davis liked to have a good time while still excelling in all aspects of his life. “He was a real jokester,” said Pam Waite, a friend of the family. “He was well-liked by everyone that knew him and was just a good, fun loving kid”.
In high school, Jace was well rounded because of his participation in many activities. He was a valedictorian of his Moapa Valley High School graduating class, editor of the yearbook and played violin in the chamber orchestra. He was academic all-state in baseball and tennis and earned his Eagle Scout award. Prior to his mission he attended BYU-Idaho for a year. "He loved his mission and the Romanian people," Sister Pam Waite said. "It's a great loss for us all."
At the time of his death, Elder Davis had been serving as a district leader in his missionary assignments, as well as second counselor in his branch presidency. He was scheduled to return home to Nevada in December 2010. “It is hard, but would have been harder if he hadn’t used his life as well as he did,” Sister Waite said. “We are sad, and sorry to not have him here, but it is uplifting to talk about a young man who used his time on earth so well.”
Elder Davis is survived by his parents, Larry and Donna Davis, and three siblings. “He was very close to all of his siblings and his Dad’s best friend.”
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(Elder Ludwig and Elder Davis were childhood friends when their families lived in the same ward in Las Vegas NV. When they were about ten years old, both families moved. Jace's father, Larry, is still our optometrist as he commutes between their home in Logandale and LV four days a week. Drew had a nice long visit with Dr./Bishop Davis when he went in for a renewal of his contact prescription just a couple of weeks before entering the MTC. They reminisced and Dr. Larry told him all about his own mission in Argentina and about all the experiences Jace was having in Romania. Even as a boy, Jace was remarkable. Kind, intelligent, spiritual, hilariously witty and so confident and athletic. One of our fondest memories of Jace is of him playing basketball at the church after Cub Scout Pack Meetings. Even though Jace was a little on the small side back then, he was very tenacious and a leader on the court. Often there was a YM's basketball game in session and our ward would be short a few players. The deacons would then invite Jace and Drew to play on their team. They usually ended up being the high-scorers and helping the team get a "W").
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