Timothy Davies

Timothy Q. Davies, prominent attorney and long-time Fargo resident, died peacefully of natural causes in his home on September 1, 2016, surrounded by his family. Mr. Davies was 82 years old. Born in Grand Forks, ND, on July 10, 1934, Tim was the first of Ronald N. and Mildred M. Davies' five children. His early years in Grand Forks were interrupted by World War II, when his father, newly appointed Army Judge Advocate, moved the family to Ft. Snelling, Minnesota until the conclusion of World War II. After the war the Davies family returned to Grand Forks where Tim spent the rest of his early years attending school in Grand Forks, graduating in 1952 from St. James Academy and in 1956 from the University of North Dakota with BS and BA degrees. The next two years were spent in the Air Force where Tim served as a flight navigator. In 1957, on leave from the Air Force, Tim married his forever-sweetheart and soul-mate Maxine Moylan, affectionately known to the entire world as Max. Thus began the relationship that saw the birth of seven children, the marriages of seven children and the joys of numerous grandchildren—and scores of thousands of tuition dollars paid to the University of North Dakota from which each and every one of the Davies’ children graduated. After his military service was concluded, Tim returned with Max and their new-born son, Brian, to begin law school at the University of North Dakota where Tim served as editor of the Law Review. He graduated with distinction in 1961 with his Juris Doctor degree and was admitted to the Federal Bar that same year by his father, Federal Judge Ronald N. Davies. Tim began his career as an attorney with The Nilles Firm in Fargo and remained with that firm throughout his entire career, eventually putting his name on the door—Nilles, Hansen, Selbo, Magill, and Davies. He specialized in real estate, commercial law and banking, maintaining his active status and license as attorney for 55 years. Tim knew that he was blessed in having his vocation and his avocation one and the same—the law. Early in their marriage Tim and Max bought a cottage on Lake Melissa—a cottage that over time became home-away-from-home to all those seven kids and their friends. In early years Tim could be found feverishly working on the grounds, calling his activity “relaxation.” In later years, Tim could be found truly relaxing—in his chair situated in the middle of the living room or on the deck—from which vantage point he could survey and manage all those he had created… And that he did. In addition to relaxing at the lakes, Tim and Max enjoyed extensive travel, both abroad (Ireland, of course—several times) and in the United States—either enjoying the adventure that Alaska has to offer, or just visiting the kids—which would be a travelogue in and of itself over the years. An avid reader (starting with the entirety of Collier's encyclopedia by the time he was 18 years old) Tim was the go-to guy for a broad spectrum of questions on almost any topic. His answers were definitive; his judgments quickly given. He was that rare person who was not only intelligent, but learned. He was proud of his Irish heritage, and felt that an Irish mind would be a terrible thing to waste—so he didn't waste his. Any who knew him was aware that you don't ask Tim a question unless you're ready to hear the answer. If time is a measurement of treasure it is obvious that, above all else, Tim treasured his family. And they treasured him. He leaves behind seven children, Brian (Rebecca Anderson), Kelly Anderson (Alan), E. Jane Sundby (Eric), Catharine Mark (Douglas), Amy Baenen (Steven), Michael (Janna) and Molly Davies; 28 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a brother Thomas A. Davies, and sisters Mary Jo (Darryl) Eidler, Kate Olmscheid, and Jean (James) Schmith. The family requests that memorials be sent to Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary or Hospice of the Red River Valley. Prayer Service: 7:00 P.M. Sunday, September 4, 2016 at Boulger Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center, Fargo with visitation starting at 5:00 P.M. Funeral Mass: 10:30 A.M. Monday, September 5, 2016 at Nativity Catholic Church, Fargo.