The Oneida County Hall of Fame presented its first awards since 2019 last week, handing the prestigious honor to former educator Melvin Joseph Davis (M. Joe Davis) and former mayor and current City Treasurer Terrill Schwartz.  The two were recognized for their important service to the community at a dinner held at the Oneida County Event Center.  

The Hall of Fame itself was initially created by the School Board in 2009, as the result of a special citizens’ committee establish the year before.  The founders of the Hall envisioned an institution that would not only honor those who have contributed so richly to the valley’s past, but would also serve as a “vision and inspiration to Oneida County’s young people.”  For this reason, the Hall of Fame honoree walls are housed at Malad High School.

M. Joe Davis

Melvin Joseph Davis was born in Samaria, Idaho, on April 10, 1927, to Melvin M. and Mabel W. Davis. Growing up as a farm boy, he developed a strong work ethic. He would live almost his entire life in Samaria. He attended school in Samaria and then Malad, graduating from Malad High School in 1945. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1946 because of the Korean War and spent seven months at Camp Roberts in California.

After his short stint in the Army, he returned home to attend Utah State University, graduating in 1950 with a major in political science and a minor in psychology. He later earned a master’s degree in educational administration.

Joe’s first teaching job was at the Samaria School where he served as principal while teaching grades 5 through 8 for an annual salary of $2,400. His brother Lynn, who was 11 years younger, was one of his students; needless to say that year was very difficult for both of them.

After two years teaching in Samaria, he moved to Malad Junior High School where he taught 7th and 8th grade social studies and math for five years.

In 1959, Joe Davis found his niche as the history and government teacher at MHS. He loved conveying his knowledge and enthusiasm for those two required subjects to every junior and senior at Malad High! Every year he got to take the classes to Boise to observe the Idaho Legislature in action, He served as senior class adviser.

While teaching at Malad High, he married Emma Louise Carter, a fellow teacher. Together they raised a daughter, Jacqueline, and added a son, Jeff, to the family. He and Louise chaperoned Malad students on many exchange trips to Germany.

Mr. Davis was known as a tough, but fair teacher. Though he could put fear into his students, they respected and even loved him because they knew he cared about them and because they learned from his classes. History and government were not easy “A” classes. Students never knew when he would give a pop quiz over current events. Students learned to look over the headlines of the newspaper before going to history or government that day. Mr. Davis said he would ever flunk a student who was trying. Many struggling students received just enough extra credit to get them through his classes by going out to Samaria and working on the ranch with their teacher. More than one former student who say that they would never have graduated without Mr. Davis’generosity.  

Since Joe appreciated government at all levels, he was involved in civic and community affairs. He counted state politicians and community leaders as his friends. He was a member of the Lions Club for many years and served as the Chair of the Oneida County Idaho Centennial Committee.

Joe was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many positions in his Samaria Ward, including as Bishop.

Outside of school, he continued to raise a few animals and to harvest crops on his farm in Samaria. He also sold insurance for a time. He was never idle, continuing to read and keep up with current events throughout his life. 

After 41 years as a teacher, influencing thousands of students, Joe, retired in 1992. He and Louise spent that winter in Arizona. On August 2, 1993, Joe Davis died as a result of a vehicle accident in his beloved Samaria.  

Joe’s daughter Jackie Bowles was on hand to share memories and accept the award on his behalf.

Terrill R. Schwartz

Terrill R. Schwartz was born in Malad in 1950, the second son of Rex and Lucille Schwartz. He has an older brother Glen, younger twin sisters Tam and Pam, and a younger brother Don Paul. Terrill began working for his parents at their local grocery store, Rex’s A.G., when he was 12 years of age. He worked every day after school and on Saturdays.

Terrill Graduated from Malad High School in 1968. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in pre-law with a minor in business in 1972.

After college, Terrill moved back to Malad and began working for Ireland Bank. He eventually because the bank’s Chief Financial Officer. In 2000, Terrill went to work in Pocatello for Citizens Community Bank, where he was Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. In March 2015, he retired from banking.

In 1983, Terrill was elected Malad City Mayor, a position he held for three terms. During his 12 years as Mayor he completed the following major projects:

• Remodeled current city building. Upgraded exterior, created a council chamber on west side of building, and remodeled water office.

• Secured federal funding that provided for new road, curb & gutter, and lighting on South Main and Jenkins Avenue. This project made it safer for students to walk to school. 

• Upgraded the city water system when the spring failed to produce adequate water. Purchased a well from MVI, passing of a bond to drill an additional well, and installation of a 500,00-gallon storage tank.

• Worked with city council to purchase 57 acres of land to expand the city park. This expansion allowed room for the installation of baseball diamonds, a walking path, splash pad, and other improvements made to the park. 

• Improved the city cemetery by purchasing 30 feet around the cemetery perimeter which allowed for new fencing, landscaping, and restroom facilities.

• Worked with city residents to install new sidewalks and curb & gutter on several blocks near the old Malad High School allowing the city to pave the roads from curb to curb which eliminated erosion during heavy storms.

• Secured Funding to improve Malad City downtown business district. Old, Dangerous sidewalks were replaced, the roadway was repaved, new lighting was installed, and landscaping was added.

In 1999, Terrill was appointed as the Malad City Treasurer, a position he still holds to this date.

Terrill served as the Financial Clerk for the Malad First Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over 20 years. He and his wife, Peggy, served a one-year service mission for the Church in Brigham City Church Employment Office. 

In 1971, Terrill married Peggy Thorpe, and they have three children (Justin, Michael, and Jaime) and eight grandchildren.

The Hall of Fame Committee is chaired by Gene Caldwell.  Tom Jenkins is the Vice Chair, and Susan Wittman is the Secretary.  The Committee also includes Nacona Smith, Kay Caldwell, Chris Jensen, Sharee Blaisdell, and Diane Anderson.

The evening was a chance for those in the community committed to building it up to show up and show their support for those who have built it into what it is today.  Both the city council and board of county commissioners were well represented, as well as members of the High School and local business community.  The committee hopes that the revitalized Hall of Fame continues forward to honor those who have been instrumental in the town and county’s success.

Former Hall of Fame Inductees

2009

John V. Evans

Mabel Jones Gabbott

LaDell Anderson

2010

James J. Williams

William M. Jardine

William J. Rutter

2011

Lucile Harrison

J. Marvin Hess

Myra Jean Williams John

2012

Ralph R. Harding

Colen Sweeten

2013

Conrad C. Alder

Stan and Erma Thomas

Dennis and Brenda Thomas

2014

Helen Jean Jones

O.H. Mabey

2015

Curtis “Curt” Lynn Hoskins

Terry Jones

2016

Florence Ipsen Bowman

J. Dennis “JD” Williams

2017

Darl S. Gleed

Gene and Kay Caldwell

2018

Leon J. (Don) Castleton

Mark Howard

2019

Ed and Wendy Jones

Thomas H. and Margert Williams