Danny Ray Davisson "Bear" passed away peacefully on September 11 ^th 2022 at his home in Akron, Colorado after a brief battle with cancer.  He was 69.

Danny was born Oct 2, 1952 to Roy & Velma Davisson in Kremmling, Colorado.

His early childhood was spent on Colorado's Western Slope in Winter Park - Fraser area moving to Akron when he was 6 or 7 where he attended Akron elementary and high school.  He spent lots time at Grandma Gray's house and became lifelong friends with across the street neighbors John and Pat McMillion.  Causing many truckers to hit their brakes when they chased a ball across CO 63.  Summers were also a time for County Fairs where his mom would ride race horses and Dad would calf rope.

Dan liked to play basketball while in school. Dan acquired the nickname "Bear" and that pretty much stuck with him until his last day on earth.  By no means was he a Grizzly Bear but just a gentle, kind and thoughtful Bear or Teddy Bear.

Early in Dan's career he worked as ruffneck and driller all across the mountain states with fellow Akron guys like:  Mark Behrendsen, Rutt / Rock Jefferson, Butch Gray and many more friends.  In 1970, while working in Grand Junction, Dan was honored and proud when Earl Drum drove from Akron to ask for his mom Velma's hand in marriage and took him out for a steak dinner afterward.

Dan met Carol Hart in 1983 and after briefly dating he moved into her house and became a father figure to her 7-year-old twins John and Susan.  He would call the kids "hammer heads" and "half pints".  Carol at times would try to use Bear's size to her advantage by threatening the kids if they misbehaved, but the kids knew he was too nice and kind to ever discipline them.  It was his kindness and teddy bear quality that brought the early elementary age twins to sit on his lap at night and read those schoolbooks before bed to him.  Because Dan had twins, there were 2 stories a night he had to endure.  He always made sure the kids got their homework done and thrived at school before letting them go out and see friends in their teenager years. Dan would also sneak money to the kids when they came home from college.

Dan ended up quitting the oil fields that was taking him away from his family and started to work in town for Ron & Jill Darrell at Akron Ready Mix driving concrete truck.  He was the first to the shop to have the coffee ready and gravel loaded on that conveyor belt.

Dan and Carol would host many Broncos and Colorado Buffs football game parties.  Dan loved hosting the 4 ^th of July bbq and also made sure the kids had the good fireworks to light off after the ones at the old football field were done.

On October 2001 Dan's stepdad Earl passed away then 15 days later Carol passed away. The family was heartbroken and just going through the motions of life. Little did they know a few years later a beautiful, fiery red head woman named Denise would bring the family's joy back together.  Denise and Dan dated and were married Feb 14 ^th 2005.  They hosted many family holidays and traveled a little to watch horse racing with his mom Velma when they could.  Dan would end his career driving a concrete truck for Gene Hottinger at Hottinger Excavating & Ready Mix.

April 2007 proved to be the only time the "Bear" would be in a tuxedo walking daughter Susan down the wedding isle.  He had the biggest smile on that day and Denise made sure he had everything he needed to be the father of the bride that day.  Dan didn't like to be center of attention but that day he sure had the biggest smile and enjoyed himself.

In 2012 Dan and Denise moved his mom Velma into their home to take care of her full time as she was struggling with early Alzheimers.  Dan would make the best pancakes for Velma in the mornings and watch her walk to the coffee shop when she was able.  Later when Velma would need a ride, Dan would drive her anywhere she wanted and just wait patiently and lovingly in the parking lot for her to get done with coffee and take her back home. Denise would take Velma to the beauty shop for "girls time" and that's when Dan would find the time to get meals ready and laundry done for Velma.  Dan and Denise made a wonderful team taking care of Velma until her death in 2020.

August 2012 Dan and Denise became a grandparent to Mason Metzler.  Dan brought his women up to Loveland hospital for Mason's grand arrival.  Dan said that drive was a long one as the women kept telling him to go faster. Velma nudged Dan to hold Mason about an hour after he was born but Dan declined because he was too afraid, he'd drop him. Grandpa Bear would share his collection of baseball cards and his knowledge of sports with Mason right up to the time of his death.  He was a wonderful husband, father and grandpa!

Dan was preceded in death by his parents: Roy Davisson, Earl & Velma Drum. Significant other: Carol Hart.  He is survived by his wife Denise Davisson of Akron, mother-n-law Donna Hodgson of Akron, son John Hart of Denver, Daughter Susan (Hart) Metzler and husband Jeremy, grandson Mason of Eaton.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 2 ^nd 2022 at 11am at Gemma's Crossing in Akron.  This date would have been his 70 ^th birthday and the Broncos play the Raiders. Please join us for a tailgate lunch to honor Dan.

Memorial donations may be made to: Denise Davisson, 201 Birch Ave Akron, CO  80720.