Samuel Lawton Davis

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, Samuel Lawton Davis, of Grand Lake Colorado, crossed the final finish line of his life at 44 years old after a year long battle with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. Lawton was born in Columbia, South Carolina on March 16, 1979 and was the eldest child of Samuel William and Nann (Whitfield) Davis. Though he started his life on the farm in his father’s hometown of Bowman, South Carolina, Lawton spent his middle school and highschool years in his mother’s hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. His youth was filled with the beautiful game of soccer, playing baritone in the highschool band, singing with his church travel choir, annual beach trips with his family, making memories with his 5 cousins and 3 younger siblings, and of course lots and lots of friends. Lawton followed in his family’s tradition of attending Clemson University, where he graduated with a BA in German. What started out as just the language he chose to take in highschool became his passion when he got the opportunity to board a plane for the first time ever and study abroad for a year in Marburg, Germany. This degree led him to The University of Kentucky where he received his Masters in Pedagogy, and had the opportunity to finish this program with another year abroad. This time in Ludwigsberg, Germany and Vienna, Austria. On March 30, 2007, Lawton married the love of his life, Laura, and together they raised their two children in Colorado. Lawton loved experiencing the beauty of the rocky mountains with his family. The lakes, mountain bike trails, ski hills, soccer pitches, and cribbage boards were all places where core family memories were made. Lawton passed his passion for Clemson football and professional soccer on to his family, and everyone who knew him never questioned his love for Denver sports teams (okay maybe not the Rockies. Not a baseball fan- too slow for that speed demon). Not only did Lawton love to play sports, but he also loved to watch them with his children so they would learn to love the games and know the importance of good sportsmanship. He always dreamt of showing his children the world through travel, having them experience different cultures and languages, and opening their eyes to all the adventure this earth has to offer. Lawton made a 16 year career in the Denver area as a high school German teacher. In this role he passed along his passion for studying abroad to his students by partnering with The Friendship Connection program which allowed his students to host exchange students as well as experience their own exchange. He loved chaperoning those exchanges every few years. He didn’t just teach German, he also served as a soccer coach at Smoky Hill High School and for the Colorado Storm Club team, and finished his coaching gig with 5 years as head Coach for his beloved Ralston Valley Mountain Bike Team. Lawton’s passion for adventure and competition was unparalleled. There wasn’t a mountain bike ride he would say no to, an adventure race he wouldn't organize, a powder day he would miss, or time on the water that he would pass up. He loved encouraging others to share in his love for biking, skiing, and paddle boarding as well, so when the family moved out of Denver to Grand Lake, CO in 2020, he started his own business venture. Grand County Adventure Company was Lawton's dream to provide more people the ability to experience the magnificence of the Colorado Rockies. Lawton was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, Agustus and Irene (Smoak) Davis, and Lawrence Lonnie and Marguerite (Breazeale) Whitfield. He is survived by his wife, Laura (MacLeod), two children Logan Irene, 12, and Samuel Colebrook (Colby), 9, as well as his parents, Sam and Nann Davis, siblings Lyle Davis, Ashlan (Davis) Williamson, and Landon Davis, and 6 nieces and nephews. Celebrations of life will be held in Colorado in the Utah Junction/Challenger Lot at Mary Jane on July 8th from 2-5pm, as well in South Carolina at the home of Mark Davis, 113 Big Dog Lane, Eutawville, SC on July 29th from 2-5. Moments of reflection will take place at both events at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in Lawton’s name to the Colorado High School Mountain Cycling League https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ALWA4U5AAUUQE or to the GoFund Me page that has been set up for Laura and the Children. https://gofund.me/dd640e52 Links to both donation sites can be found on the Law10 Strong Facebook page or on the Law10canbeatpancan Instagram Page. Please use these pages as well to confirm details for both celebrations of life.