Victor Ernest Davidson

Victor Ernest Davidson, 88, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away on Monday. Mr. Davidson enjoyed art, literature, music, history, politics, food, wine, and the list could continue. He was born in Springdale, Arkansas. He lived throughout Arkansas, where he managed a chain of family grocery stores. He attended Wentworth Military Academy and the University of Arkansas. In the 1940s, he moved north to work as a newspaper reporter in Plainfield, New Jersey. He later owned a newspaper in Covington, Ohio, where he met his wife, Dorothy, who was a Latin and English teacher. They married in 1950. He served as a corporal in the Army, stationed in Germany after World War II. He and Dorothy eventually settled in the Dayton, Ohio area.
While he had many loves, his family was first. He was the champion of his four children and nine grandchildren. Although he lost his wife of 48 years in 1998, his love for her continued. Mr. Davidson was the son of the late Willie and Lyda Mae Davidson. He was also preceded in death by his son, Walter Carroll Davidson; sister, Virginia VanZandt; and brothers, James, Willis, Marion, Joe, Walter, and T.Mark Davidson.

Survivors include his daughters, Estelle (Charles) Del Porto of Bursins, Switzerland, Teresa (John) Paulus of Woodsfield, Ohio, and Virginia Davidson of Shaker Heights, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Catherine Davidson of Croton-on-Hudson, New York; grandchildren, Damien (Hannah) Del Porto, Marjorie (Christopher) Marino, Victor Del Porto, Maria and Katrina Paulus, Scott and Dean Davidson, and Emily and Julie Seger; and sisters, Cheri Lee Furrow and Lydia Ann Neese.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 pm at Heath Funeral Home in Paragould, Arkansas on Saturday. A graveside funeral will begin at 3:30 pm at Gainesville Cemetery. You may send flowers or memorials may be sent to the Gainesville Cemetery Fund, 1326 Greene Road 138, Paragould, AR 72450. Online tributes: www.heathfuneralhome.com