Davey Lee Davidson

Davey L. Davidson, 81, of Newnan, Georgia and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida died Saturday, July 11, 2015. Dave was born January 3, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Burr & Gladys Kissee Davidson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister, Bebe Roe Walker and nephew, Lynn Walker. Even though Dave survived 5 heart attacks, he was unable to overcome congestive heart disease. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Phyllis Fuess Davidson; son, Todd D. Davidson & wife Tanya Adderson-Davidson; grandson, Teagan Xander Davidson; and nephews, Steve Walker, Dayrel Walker. Dave graduated from Vega, Texas, high school in 1952 where he enjoyed playing football, basketball, and baseball. In 1953, he went to Iola, Kansas to try out for the Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri Class D League only to learn the league had folded the day before his arrival. He then attended Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Opportunity Award Scholarship. Dave graduated from Infantry Officers Candidate School in Ft. Benning, Georgia and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division. During the last 25 years of his career, Dave worked as a plant manager in the aluminum container industry for Reynolds Metals, The Ball Corporation and Anheuser Busch. He was recognized as an industry leader based upon his success in customer satisfaction, development of employees, and high standards of performance in quality, employee safety and productivity. In 1992, Dave's Anheuser Busch plant in Windsor, Colorado was selected as the outstanding mid-sized manufacturing facility in the state of Colorado. In 1990, Dave and his wife, Phyllis, established the James E. and Robbye Garrett scholarship award in Vega, Texas to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Garrett for their contribution to education and provide scholarship to deserving students. Since 1990, 81 students have received 4 year, $7,000 scholarships to the college/university of their choice. After retirement, he and his wife moved to Newnan, Georgia where he finally had plenty of time to indulge many hobbies. He frequently was on the golf course, played bridge, and enjoyed yardwork and was known to “take cutting grass seriously.” For many years he was a fan of the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals but over the past 20 years he became an ardent Atlanta Braves fan because their games were the most televised. His love of World War II history led him to take the D-Day tour in 1999. Also in retirement, he had an opportunity to enjoy his love of music, especially Elvis, Patsy Cline, Tanya Tucker, and the soul & blues artist, Susan Tedeschi. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com The graveside service, with military honors, is Monday, July 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Andersonville National Cemetery in the historic Andersonville National Park, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, GA 31711. The memorial service is Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 101 N. Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City, GA 30269 with Pastor Miriam Beecher officiating. Rather than flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to the James E. Garrett Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 190 Vega, TX 79092. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, Newnan, GA (770) 253-4580

Davey Lee Davidson

January 3, 1934 - July 11, 2015