Earl "Deke" Walter Davis, 83, Belle Fourche, died Monday, July 17, 2017 at Fort Meade Veterans Hospital.

Earl was born November 23, 1933 to William and Vera (Hultenschmidt) Davis in Alzada, MT. He attended the South Thomas School on the 3V road through the seventh grade.  After completing the seventh grade he worked on various ranches in the area.  He was called to the service in the US Army on December 27, 1950.   He served our country during the Korean War through December 18, 1953.  During that time he was wounded in action and awarded a purple heart.

He never married, but spent many years with his friends, George and Darlene Krininger and family, attending many horse events and cattle brandings. Earl liked to be called a "snowbird" and spent his winters in Arizona with George's family and friends.  He would return to Belle Fourche in the spring and would work for Chuck Watson, hauling sand and gravel in his spare time.  Earl loved watching traffic come through town and having coffee at the Belle Inn.  He also enjoyed word search puzzles and spending time with his family.

Earl is survived by his brother, Tom Davis of Belle Fourche and several nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents William and Vera (Hultenschmidt) Davis; brother, Billy Davis; sisters Mary Ann Homer, Mae Pierce, and Florence Stagemeyer; and his best friend, George Krininger.

Services will be held at 3:00 pm on August 1, 2017 at Black Hills National Cemetery.  Chaplin (Ret.) Herbert B. Cleveland will be officiating and military honors will be rendered by the US Army Honor Guard and the Belle Fourche Honor Guard.

Everyone is invited to the Belle Inn, 2511 5th Ave in Belle Fourche,  following the services at the cemetery to celebrate Earl's life.

In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to The Shriner's Travel Fund - Rapid City, SD.