Darren S. Davis, 55, of rural Columbia City, died unexpectedly of natural causes at 2:57 p.m. Monday, December 20, 2021, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, where he had been taken by ambulance earlier that day.

Born on April 21, 1966, in Bluffton, Indiana, he was the son of John and Linda (McClain) Davis. Growing up in Fort Wayne, he completed elementary school at Hillcrest Elementary and then attended Homestead High School, later completing his GED.

He joined the U. S. Army. After his honorable discharge, he went to work for defense contractor Halliburton in Amarillo, TX.

Returning to the area, he married Joni L. Treece on April 16, 2010. They made their home in rural Columbia City. He worked in the construction trade locally, and recently he worked for Fort Wayne Awning.

He was a man of faith with an uplifting spirit and a kind and encouraging word for all, especially his children and grandchildren. Always the family man, he loved hosting cookouts and the family gatherings. He used his physical stature to assist family and friends where strength was required earning him the nickname Ox. Through the years, he liked to hunt and fish or go shooting. He liked to tinker with wood, building woodcrafts and birdhouses.

Surviving is his beloved wife, Joni, children Derek (Mandi) Davis of Fort Worth, TX, Alisha (Scott Townsend) Treece of Angola, Marla (Matt) Zimmerman of Westfield, Sarah (Logan) Miller of Amarillo, TX, and Reece Davis of Columbia City; grandchildren Dalton, Rayla, Blaze, Dillon, Karter, Carlie, and Charleigh; his father John (Mary) Davis of Fort Wayne and his mother Linda (Tom) Denney of Albany; sisters, Tammy (Obie) Hickenbottom of Fort Wayne, Michelle (Jeffrey) Barton of Columbia City and Shannon Ball of Columbia City and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service is 6 p.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Visitation is from 4 p.m. until the service Monday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to the family.