John Gareth Davies 1940-2025 John Gareth Davies, of Los

John Gareth Davies 1940-2025 John Gareth Davies, of Los Lunas, left the world on July 11, 2025, after 85 good years on this Earth. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Linda; his children, Scott, Melinda, Lisa and Kim; his five grandchildren, Jade, Anna, Frank, Lucas and Jack; and his best buddy, his dog, Sherman. Growing up in Scranton, Penn., John was a jazz drummer at his core. Having been introduced to music by his father, a pianist, he began playing drums at a young age and was playing professionally by the age of 15. He had his own radio show while attending the University of Scranton, and put himself through school playing in jazz clubs. When he met and began dating his future wife, Linda, he took her from a conservative German household and introduced her to the 1960's jazz scene, taking her on dates in a Triumph TR3 sports car. She never stood a chance! They were happily married for 62 years. John earned his master's degree in science and received several NSF grants to further his studies while camping in Arizona and Utah with his young family. Becoming a teacher, John would devote the next 50+ years to teaching high school science, first in New Jersey and later in New Mexico. He shared the wonders of astronomy, Earth science, physics and MESA with thousands of teenagers throughout his career. Known in the classroom as Mr. D, John taught with humor and passion, becoming the favorite teacher of countless students. He retired from Los Lunas High School in 2020 at the age of 80. In addition to his students, John passed on his passion and humor to his children and, subsequently, his grandchildren. He taught them the profound love of music. He taught them the love of rocks and space, of nature and animals, of hiking and camping. He taught them to laugh and to quote "Young Frankenstein" before they were old enough to get the jokes. He taught them to use power tools. He taught them to just "do it." John's life was well-lived, and it's certain that those who knew him in either a big or a small way feel grateful. He passed away peacefully after a long battle with dementia. Modern Jazz Quartet, his favorite, was playing. If you wish to honor his memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Inhora Hospice, in Albuquerque, or to the National Mill Dog Rescue in Peyton, Colo.