Johnny Evert Davenport, 95, passed away Feb.28, 2013 in Nampa, Idaho.

He was born in a sod house, which remains to this day, on a farm in Burwell, Nebraska on Sept. 11, 1917 to Clark and Etta Davenport. Johnny was preceded in death by nine older brothers and one younger sister, plus three siblings who died as infants.

Growing up in the country on a farm, he learned to work hard and developed a remarkable ability to repair almost anything. Walking one mile to and from school, wearing shoes only in the winter, he completed the eighth grade.

At about 11 years old, both he and his sister accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior one Sunday at the Christian Church. After the service, they were immediately baptized. He remembered them dancing around outside the church afterward singing, "I'm going to Heaven!" Johnny steadfastly served and loved the Lord until the day he joined Him in heaven.

In 1935, the whole family packed up and moved to Nampa, Idaho. It was during Nampa's Harvest Festival on Sept. 6, 1937 that Johnny met Hazel May Alcorn and it was love at first sight. Later, they won a contest to be the couple married in a public ceremony on the Adelaide Theater Stage during intermission by Mayor Lewis Ord on April 27, 1939.

During the end of the Great Depression, Johnny did odd jobs to make ends meet. They converted a brooder house for raising chickens into their own love nest and soon began a brood of their own.

In 1942, he was hired by Kings Packing Co., which later became Armors, and was involved in a Defense project that kept him from being sent to the war. He continued working there until his retirement in 1978. During those 37 years, he faithfully provided for his growing family, which had become the most important part of his life. His free time was spent with family camping, boating and taking many cross country vacations.

Johnny was very involved in church and church activities. He wanted his kids to not only be taught right and wrong, but that there was a God who loved the world, and that they should grow up to follow Him. Johnny held leadership positions through the years in the churches he attended, such as Sunday school teacher, Deacon, member of the board, and with missions. He was also involved for a while with a church youth activity called Sky Pilots. He helped build the Church of the Open Door, and then helped start the Southern Baptist Church in Nampa. For many of his later years, he attended the Church of the Nazarene.

Johnny was a devoted husband to Hazel for over 73 years. He is survived by his wife, six children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They will surely miss his quiet, gentle presence and will continue to appreciate the Godly heritage he bestowed upon them.

The family wishes to thank Hospice and Carla's Loving Care for their support and assistance in his final days.

A memorial service for Johnny will be held at the Karcher Church of the Nazarene on April 20, 2013 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations in his honor to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000 | Boone, NC 28607. www.SamaritansPurse.org

Services under care of Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, Nampa 466-3545.

Published in Idaho Press Tribune on April 15, 2013