John C. Davison, 72, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away suddenly at his home.

John was born and raised in Fall River County to Jack and Marlyn Davison. Growing up, he cherished being close to his maternal grandparents in Hot Springs and his paternal grandparents on the family ranch in Smithwick, SD. He attended school across Smithwick, Hot Springs, and Oelrichs, making lifelong friends from every classroom he entered.

After high school and enjoying a few legendary adventures with local friends (names withheld to protect the guilty; you know who you are) John joined the U.S. Army. He proudly served his country while stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and abroad in Wiesbaden, Germany. Following his honorable discharge, John took to the open road as a truck driver, a career that took him across the country until his retirement. Along life's highway, he had three children: Richard, Jereme, and Ivy.

To kick off the new millennium, John met the love of his life, Trish. The two were married at Chautauqua Park in 2003—intentionally choosing the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally so John would never have an excuse to forget their anniversary. From that year on, every anniversary was a celebration surrounded by friends who traveled in for the rally.

John was a man of the land and a true gearhead; he loved raising livestock, haying, and turning wrenches on cars. For retirement, he knew exactly where he wanted to be: back home in Hot Springs, where he built a house and a shop dedicated to working on his project cars. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, John found a safe, creative way to stay connected by joining the local car cruising scene. Through it, he met a vibrant community of fellow car enthusiasts who quickly became close friends. Among them, he gained a truly great friend, Steve, whom John loved and thought of as a son.

Though his health unfortunately cut his dream of working in the shop shorter than he would have liked, John never lost his passion. He attended car shows for as long as he possibly could, catching up with old friends over open hoods. He even tried to get back to riding a motorcycle later in life but absolutely hated riding a trike and flatly refused to ever get on it again.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Trish; his "adopted" son, Steve; his children, Richard, Jereme, and Ivy; his grandchildren and great-grandsons; his stepfather, Herb; and a vast circle of outstanding friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Marlyn, and his grandparents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM at the Springs Lodge and Cafe in Hot Springs, SD. This gathering holds a special meaning, as the lodge was built on the historic site of the former Sisters Hospital where John was born. Guests are highly encouraged to drive their classic car or favorite ride, as John would have truly loved the show.

Memorial services will follow for John at the Black Hills National Cemetery on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s name to the Mason’s Harmony Lodge Scholarship Fund, which John proudly supported for its dedication to all students, including those entering the trades. Alternatively, Trish plans to plant a memorial tree in the yard come spring to give it a fighting chance. She admits her gardening skills are questionable at best, which John found out, so there is no need to add a South Dakota winter into the mix.