Gerald Wayne John “Smokey” Davidson, age 89, of
Perham
,
MN
, died
Thursday, May 7, 2009
, in the Perham Memorial Nursing Home.
Smokey was born
February 17, 1920
, to John and Mary (Knuttila) Davidson in
Butler Township
,
New York
Mills, MN. As an infant child he was brought to the Lord in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Some years later, he professed his faith in his Savior in the Rite of Confirmation.
In Smokey’s youth, he worked for area farmers, cutting wood and helping with their crops (his father passed away when he was only 4 years old). In 1937, he worked for his uncle Jalmer Knuttila in
Menahga
,
MN
, doing minor jobs at the John Deere dealership. In 1939, his uncle bought the John Deere dealership from Marckell Company in
Perham
,
MN
, and Smokey continued working there until entering the service in 1942. During his service in the Army he served in the European Theatre of Operations with the Army of Engineers. He served in the US Army from 1942-45 (WWII). On
November 13, 1945
, he was discharged and went back to work for Knuttila Implement in Perham. In 1971, Knuttila Implement went out of business and Smokey transferred to Wadena Implement until his retirement in 1984.
On
June 27, 1946
, Smokey was united in marriage to Erna Wanderi at
St. John’s
Lutheran
Church
,
Corliss
Township
. From this union two sons, Dennis and Gene, and one daughter, Cindy, were born. Erna passed away
April 27, 1980
. On
April 15, 1989
, Smokey was united in marriage to Kathryn Damlo at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Perham. Kathryn passed away
August 25, 2002
.
Smokey was a member of
St. Paul
’s
Lutheran
Church
in Perham. In his younger years he ushered at many church services and served on the cemetery board. He also served on the board of education in the previous
St. Paul
’s
Christian
School
. Smokey was also an active member in the community. He joined the Perham Fire Dept in 1950 and retired in 1975. He was also involved in the first rescue squad in Perham – The MN Association of Ambulance Attendants. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 4020 serving as Commander from 1972-74. He was also a lifetime member of the Military Order of Cooties, serving as area Commander, a life member of the VFW National Home, and the American Legion Post 61. He had been a past member of the Perham Lions and Perham Jaycee’s. During his life, Smokey enjoyed gardening, feeding and watching the birds, and he was known for his great tomatoes.
Although he had numerous health problems in his life, he never complained and always had a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends but especially missed by his caregiver (before entering the Perham Nursing Home) and favorite daughter, Cindy.
Smokey is survived by his daughter, Cindy Davidson, Perham, MN; two sons, Dennis (Shirley) Davidson, Circle Pines, MN; and Gene (Julie) Davidson, Circle Pines, MN; four grandchildren, Michelle, Heidi, Jeremy, and Melissa; twelve great grandchildren; one brother, Kenneth (Marion) Davidson, Grand Forks, ND; one sister, Beatrice (Cliff) Bigley, Mesa, AZ; and all the wonderful caregivers and friends from Prairie Knoll household at the Perham Nursing Home and resident dog, Lucky.
Preceding Smokey in death are his parents; step-father; two wives, Erna and Kathryn; a brother, Robert Davidson; a sister, Bertha Delisi; and one granddaughter, Cheri Davidson.
