Jaman William Davies

"There is no better exercise for the heart…
Than reaching down and lifting someone up."

On June 13th a giant heart was peacefully and unexpectedly called home in his sleep from a sudden illness into the arms of Grandma "Nice" and Grandma Colleen.

As the first hint of dawn gave birth to a new day, on April 9th 1979, Jaman's energy flooded into our lives to become our "son-shine". He bounced through childhood glowing from ear-to-ear, hurtling full light-speed through life; collecting friends at every turn and in each new adventure. His motto of "No Fear" permeated every play of his life; whether on the football field at Viewmont High School, on the basketball courts in Russia or on the streets of New York City as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

His entrepreneurial spirit revealed itself early as he could be found selling individual lifesavers to the neighborhood gang or, supplying his classmates' sweet tooth cravings from his junior high locker or making a steal of a baseball card deal with his bosom buddy-cousins; Spence and Chad. A grin on his mischievous face accompanied all transactions.

Everyone he encountered was embraced with "you've got a friend in me". Jaman and generous were synonymous. The shirt off his back was constantly disappearing. His ample size was never large enough to hold his enormous heart. J redefined "true friend". Consequently, "Da Boyz" reciprocally reinvented loyalty. They never stopped believing in him.

Jaman was a champion "runner": surprising his mother with rose bouquets after a fulfilling Costco "run", a lunch "run" for his siblings and any friend on "L-4", D.Q. "runs" 1 minute before closing, dollar-store "runs" with wide-eyed nephews, tool "runs" for a hard-working father", flower "runs" for a backyard wedding, 2 a.m. milk "runs" after Sports Center was over. He would literally have run to the ends of the earth for his family.

The title he wore best and most proudly was "Uncle". Hopefully he will write the "Uncle Handbook" and e-mail it to earth. Never were any children more loved. Their needs were understood and met by him in a unique way. He instinctively knew how to enter a child's world and connect eye-to-eye, heart to heart and spirit to spirit. Jaman understood that one of the few things that make it through "celestial customs" is relationships. Those are forever yours," Best Buddy"!

Jaman loved power tools, power naps, power drinks, power books, power work-outs, power prayers, power quotes, power scriptures and the power of his family who "of one heart" will love him to eternity and beyond!

He taught us volumes about: looking on the heart, walking forward, holding on, withholding judgment, choosing love, believing in the Light of the World and that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

J, the "best two years of your life" can now be resumed in a new mission field as you join your brothers, Elder Taylor in Atlanta, Georgia and Elder Jordan in Manchester, England- "chosen 'ere to witness for His name". Lay down your earthly "to-do" list to pick up a new one penned for you by a loving Father's hand.

Jaman was preceded in death by his grandmothers: Constance G. Leishman and Colleen W. Davies and his niece, Sarah Colleen Liljenquist. He is survived by his parents: William and Shelley Davies; his siblings: Brooke and Dan Liljenquist, Krista Davies, Megan and Greg Larsen, Elder Jordan Davies, Elder Taylor Davies and Matthew Davies; his nephews and nieces: Jacob, Grace, Nathan, Joshua, Benjamin and Emmalee; his grandfathers: Lowell L. Leishman and James G. Davies and a loving clan of uncles, aunts and cousins.