Robert Eli DAVIDSON (VETERAN KOR)
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Additional DAVIDSON Surnames in FINLEY CREEK Cemetery
Additional DAVIDSON Surnames in IZARD County
DAVIDSON, ClaudDAVIDSON, ClaudiaDAVIDSON, Joseph PinckneyDAVIDSON, Mabel AnnDAVIDSON, Minnie NaomiDAVIDSON, Remmel RayDAVIDSON, Dorcas Caldonia A "Donia"DAVIDSON, William LabanDAVIDSON, Fred WalterDAVIDSON, Shula Jane "Jennie"DAVIDSON, Walter FredDAVIDSON, David FranklinDAVIDSON, EffieDAVIDSON, Lois MDAVIDSON, MyrtleDAVIDSON, Troy HDAVIDSON, William C (Bill)DAVIDSON, Roy LDAVIDSON, BettyDAVIDSON, Emily C.DAVIDSON, Joseph "J.P."DAVIDSON, Anna DrucillaDAVIDSON, Fannie WestalDAVIDSON, Lizzie PrussiaDAVIDSON, Sarah PrussiaDAVIDSON, Westal EwingDAVIDSON, William RansomDAVIDSON, JimDAVIDSON, UnknownDAVIDSON, HardyDAVIDSON, MarierDAVIDSON, FannieDAVIDSON, BillDAVIDSON, UnknownDAVIDSON, UnknownDAVIDSON, UnknownDAVIDSON, Sarah J.DAVIDSON, Michael J.DAVIDSON, Frances Pauline
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Submitted: 8/8/23 • Approved: 8/14/23 • Last Updated: 8/17/23 • R1495815-G0-S3
SHIP'S SERVICEMAN THIRD CLASS US NAVY
Korea
December 31, 1932 - July 07, 2022
Robert “Bob” Eli Davidson husband of Marie Arlene (Bartley) Davidson. Robert “Bob” Eli Davidson son of William Eli Davidson and Agnes (Reeves) Davidson.
Please see civilian entry for additonal information.
**obituary
Robert Eli "Bob" Davidson of Sage, Izard County, Arkansas
December 31, 1932 - July 7, 2022
Robert Eli "Bob" Davidson, son of the late William Eli Davidson and Agnes Reeves Davidson, was born December 31, 1932 in Stella, Arkansas. He departed this life July 7, 2022 at his home in Sage, Arkansas at the age of 89 years, 6 months and 6 days.
In his earlier years Bob left Mt. Pleasant High School at the end of the first semester of his senior year to enlist in the United States Navy to serves his country during the Korean War. Bob sailed on the USS Preston Naval Destroyer. Desiring to complete his education, he also earned his GED while in the Navy. Of his meager wages he managed to save enough money to send assistance back home to his family and enabled his younger sister Betty, to attend and complete nursing training. Of his many adventures over the seas, Bob was probably most proud of his initiation and certificate formally and forever numbering him as a Trusty Shellback for crossing the equator, 20 August 1953. He was honorably discharged on November 19,1954.
He was united in marriage to Marie Arlene Bartley in December 1957 and together they raised their family. Bob Davidson was a founding member and commander of the first SWAT TEAM of the Little Rock Police Department. In 1972 he traveled with his rifle team from Little Rock PD to Quantico, Virginia to the FBI Training Academy. At the end of the training Bob placed second in a national sharp shooting contest, falling only to a Montana cowboy. After being promoted to Sergeant and serving 13 years on the force at Little Rock he moved his wife and children back to his homeplace in Izard County where he and wife, Arlene owned and operated a General Merchandise store in downtown Sage for eleven years before returning to law enforcement. In 1990 Bob filed as a candidate in the Izard County Sheriff's race. He conceded to his opponent and good friend Danny Haley. Sheriff Haley offered Bob a position on the force and soon after promoted him to Chief Deputy. Due to declining health in 1994 Danny left his elected office and advised the appointment of Bob Davidson to finish his term. It was unanimously approved by the Quorum Court. He later served as dispatcher under the Joe Martz administration and served the county as road foreman under his brother, Don Davidson's term as Izard County Judge. Bob was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a man of great faith.
Bob is survived by his wife of 64 years: Marie Arlene Davidson of the home; three children: Steve Davidson and wife Sherry of Sage, Anna Parish and husband Dale of Sage and Will Davidson and wife Karla of Wye Mountain; two sisters: Betty Ann Caraway of Texarkana and Marian Sue Carpenter of Bentonville; seven grandchildren: Chance Battles and wife Kate of Sidney, Sage Cooper and husband Cody of Franklin, Emily Ann Griffin and husband Michael of Little Rock, Robert Eli Davidson of Wye Mountain, Tyler Talkington of Melbourne, Allison James of Russellville and A. J. Talkington of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; seven great grandchildren: Taegan Talkington, Crew James, John Ross, Charlie Taylor Battles, Clint Anderson Battles, Anna Clare Cooper and William Michael Liam Griffin; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter: Beth Ann Davidson; six siblings: Joseph Reeves Davidson, Meda Marie Calhoun, Jimmie Clarence Davidson, Vestal Imogene "Deanie" Dunn, Evelyn Rhudene "Lynn" Ford and Donald Wayne Davidson.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Funeral service will be Tuesday, July 12 at 1:00 p.m. at Howard Memorial Funeral Chapel in Melbourne with Danny Brightwell officiating. Burial will be at Finley Creek Cemetery with Navy honors.
Pallbearers: David Carpenter, Mark Carpenter, Tim Carpenter, Russ Caraway, Randy Davidson, George Calhoon, Mike Davidson.
Honorary Pallbearers: Gene Bartley, Coy Jr. Garrett.
Obituary provided courtesy of Eddie's Family Funeral Home Melbourne, Izard County, Arkansas. Published Jul 2022 © Copyright 2012 - 23 Eddie's Family Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
*RE: Beth Ann death before 2022 per her fathers obituary
Contributed on 8/8/23 by sandhollow
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Record #: 1495815