Eugene "Gene" Walter Davidson of Moscow passed away Saturday evening, Nov. 10, 2012, at Gritman Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 96.
Gene was born March 26, 1916, in Moscow to Walter and Anna Davidson (Goodwin) of Scandinavian heritage. He was the youngest of three sons. He attended Moscow public schools and graduated from Moscow High School, which is now the 1912 Building. Gene continued with his education at the University of Idaho in the College of Agriculture majoring in entomology. While in college, Gene proudly joined the Idaho National Guard 116th Cavalry unit in Moscow. He enjoyed racing down the hills of north Boise horseback riding while running the obstacle course.
In 1941 Gene enlisted in the Moscow Army Reserve, which eventually became the 148th Field Artillery Idaho National Guard Battalion, and was a field artillery unit commander. He served in the South Pacific theatre in World War II, which included Australia, Trobriand Islands, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and New Britain. He was awarded the Purple Heart for action in Arawe, New Britain, on Dec. 26, 1943. He received an honorable discharge as a first lieutenant in May 1945. Gene felt it a privilege to serve his country.
While at the UI, he met his loving wife of 68 years, Eileen. They were married on Gene's birthday in 1944 at Walla Walla, Wash. They purchased their first home there and he worked for Libby's Foods as a field buyer. He stayed with Libby until moving to Spokane, Wash., in 1948. He began his professional career at the Farm Credit Coop and then the Production Credit Association (PCA), which provided loans to farmers and ranchers. In 1960 he received a promotion to president to manage the Lewis-Clark PCA office in Lewiston, Idaho. From 1960 to 1980 he opened office branches in Moscow, Cottonwood and Grangeville, Idaho. Throughout his years in Lewiston Gene was an active member in the Chamber of Commerce.
Gene and Eileen had one son, Douglas. Doug shared his dad's passion for photography. They would travel together throughout the United States and Australia on photo trips - cameras in hand. Gene taught his son to "meet" the people around the world as they were the most important part of the travel experience. Gene was devoted to his son and always participated in Boy Scouts, his sports activities and Doug's professional career.
Gene retired in 1980 and relocated back to Spokane with Eileen. Together they enjoyed traveling extensively including China, Hong Kong, Japan, an automobile trip throughout Europe from Italy to the Netherlands, Thailand, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Eastern Europe, Spain, Morocco and Russia.
Gene was a member of the Calam Shrine in Lewiston and the El Katif Shrine in Spokane where he played in both Oriental Bands. He loved music and played the clarinet and organ. He was also a member of the Farm Credit Bank retirement group and the 148th Field Artillery group in Spokane. The family attended the Presbyterian Church in Lewiston and Spokane. He enjoyed his vegetable garden and was quite artistic with his bonsai trees. Gene's dad, Walter, was a contractor, hence Gene loved woodworking and made a beautiful grandmother clock and furniture. He was an avid reader of many biographies, liked RVing throughout the U.S., always enjoyed a good laugh and took pleasure in cooking, especially lefse for the family at Christmas.
Gene and Eileen moved from Spokane to Moscow to be near family just this past August.
Gene was preceded in death by his mother, father and both brothers, Arthur and Tilmer. He is survived by his wife Eileen, his son Doug and daughter-in-law Joyce, all of Moscow.
At Gene's request, cremation and a small family memorial service is planned. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel and online condolences may be made at shortsfuneralchapel.com.
