JEROME — A memorial on Saturday honored the family of a Magic Valley man who was the first Idahoan to lose his life in the war in Afghanistan and one of two killed in action.

Snake River Elks Lodge 2807 presented a plaque to the parents of Pfc. Adam J. Davis, in recognition of their son’s service, during the annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon held at the lodge in Jerome.

Davis, 19, of Twin Falls died along with three other American soldiers when a roadside bomb detonated near a vehicle they were riding in on July 23, 2007.

His father, Tim Davis, said American forces need to remain in Afghanistan, a fight that has worsened for U.S. soldiers.

“It’s not necessarily being run well at this point, but we need to do something,” he said.

“I definitely wouldn’t want the families of the people who have died there to think their lives have been wasted. That’s for sure,” Davis said.

He talked about his son telling him he had a job to do when he faced deployment to Afghani-stan.

Adam Davis was born in Twin Falls but lived in Jerome for much of his life.

There were short periods when he lived in both Moscow and in Arizona.

“He was mostly brought up in the Magic Valley. When his mom was living here they lived in Jerome,” Tim Davis said. “We were living in Twin Falls when he enlisted.”

George Peter, veterans’ affairs officer for the Elks Lodge, and Pat Branch of Kimberly, who is a pastor and a veteran, presented a plaque commemorating Davis’ service to his country to his parents and other family members.

The keynote speaker, retired Air Force Gen. Francis Gideon, who served as a test pilot on the S-10 Warthog and other aircraft, said he was proud to serve his country in the armed forces.

Gideon, who now lives in Murtaugh, told of some of his experiences during his 34 years as an Air Force pilot, including an accident while testing weapons that nearly cost him his life.

Spc. Randy L. J. Neff Jr., 22, of Blackfoot, was the other U.S. soldier killed in action in Afghanistan. He also died as the result of a roadside bomb on July 22, 2009.

The only other Idahoan that has died while serving in Afghanistan was Lt. Col. Joseph A. Moore, 54, of Boise, who died of natural causes on May 20, 2008, while serving with the 124th Wing, Idaho Air National Guard.

John Plestina may be reached at jplestina@magicvalley.com or 208-358-7062.