Edward’s Obituary Mr. Edward “Ed” John Davidson peacefully passed away on December 25, 2018, in Roseburg, OR, at the age of 97. Since 2013, Ed resided at Riverview Terrace, Roseburg, OR. Previous residences included Sutherlin, OR and Whittier, CA.
Born on June 25, 1921, in Portland OR, Ed was the second son of James Beaton Davidson and Jemima Marr who both immigrated from Scotland. His three brothers, Norman James, Robert William, and Nowland Marr Davidson, all preceded him in death. His early life was spent in Southern California where he had his first ride in an airplane, an old Ford Trimotor.
This experience led to a lifelong love of flying. He graduated from L.A. High School in 1939 and while attending Los Angeles City College, he enrolled in Civilian Pilot Training. Near the end of his flight training, he was authorized to take his first solo cross-country flight.
That flight took place on December 7, 1941. Word of the attack on Pearl Harbor came while he was stopped in Ontario, CA before beginning the final leg of his flight. To stay with a buddy who could not get into the Air Forces, Ed joined the Merchant Marine in March 1942.
Naturally, he and his buddy were assigned to different ships, so late in 1942 he resigned from the Merchant Marine and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant and flew B-17s in the European Theater of Operations. Having flown 35 missions, Ed became a member of the Lucky Bastards Club and received his Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters.
Considering himself a very lucky man, Ed married two beautiful women. He married Margaret Elizabeth Freeman, his “childhood sweetheart”, in 1942, and they shared 49 wonderful years, three children, and five grandchildren. After Marge’s death in 1991, Ed renewed his long-time friendship with Mary Helen Temple.
In his words, “this friendship led to love, and love led to marriage”. They were married in 1994 and shared 18 years together. Both Marge and Mary Helen preceded Ed in death.
“The two most wonderful women I have ever known, I have had the privilege and the pleasure of calling my wife”. In Ed’s words, “for most of my life, I have had the good fortune to work for myself, and not have to report to anybody else”. His company, Morgan-Davidson Lumber Company located in California, provided lumber for the construction of affordable homes for the returning servicemen of WWII.
Other endeavors included building homes, selling mobile homes, selling computers, and a long-distance telephone company. Ed’s interests included golf (he had a 4 handicap) and playing tennis. He was an avid reader, a master crossword puzzler, and a Jeopardy fan.
In his later years, Ed never lost his love of flying. As a result of his friendship with Tony Aggerholm, he became an honorary member of the Douglas County Flyers. The capstone to his flying career occurred in 2017, at the age of 96.
He was treated to a flight in a vintage Stearman, an airplane in which he had trained many years before. When he climbed out of the cockpit, he was beaming and looked like he was a kid again. Ed is preceded in death by his only daughter, Karen Jeanne Ruth (Helms Davidson), whose spirit and love is sorely missed.
He is survived by his two sons and their wives, Norman and Barbara Davidson of Sutherlin, OR and Gregory and Peggy Davidson of Vancouver, WA, and by his five beautiful grandchildren, Brett Davidson, Paul Davidson, Katy Davidson, Kevin Helms, and Natalie Eloe (Helms). Our family extends grateful thanks to Lil Coke, Ed’s loving caregiver, and to Laura Fox, his loving friend. Memorial service will be held at Wilson’s Chapel of Roses, Roseburg, OR, on January 28 at 11:00 AM.
Interment will follow at Roseburg National Cemetery at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, our family requests that donations be made in memory of Ed Davidson to the American Cancer Society (www. cancer.org, 800-227-2345, or PO Box 42040, Oklahoma City OK 73123).
Please visit www. wilsonschapeloftherosesfh.com to leave the family fond memories and condolences.
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