Gary Davidson

Gary Steven Davidson passed peacefully from this mortal existence on April 4, 2021—Easter Sunday—the holiest day of the year. A cherished friend observed that Heavenly Father calls home some of his choicest spirits on that day. He was surrounded by the love of souls from both sides of the veil.

Gary was born in Vallejo, California on May 15, 1956 to Mark and Elsie Davidson, where he spent the first 6 years of his life. The family left California in 1962 when his father accepted a position at the Tooele Army Depot in Tooele, Utah. Gary has said it was the perfect place to grow up and was always grateful his parents had the courage to leave their California lives and embark on a new adventure. Adventure it was! When they arrived, the home they expected to move their earthly belongings into, was nothing more than a basement. A motel became the family home for four months while the contractors scrambled in those early 60's to build neighborhoods for the growing community.  He loved growing up at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains. He used to say he knew every inch of Settlement Canyon because he explored it on his motorcycle. He told of a harrowing experience when he and his best friend spent a few hours lost in one of the thousands of abandoned mine shafts in the hills surrounding Tooele. In spite of that experience, he learned as a boy to love the outdoors and spent countless days camping, fishing, hunting, skiing and later learned to enjoy the game of golf. That endeavor was probably the most appealing because it allowed him the opportunity to talk and laugh with friends and even strangers he got paired up with at the course. We used to say that his dad never met a stranger and Gary certainly inherited that trait. He often came home from the course with  interesting stories and tall tales that have entertained his family for years.

Gary attended the College of Eastern Utah in Price, where he met the love of his life, Diane Sumner. She became his campaign manager when he successfully ran for Student-body President, and Gary became her greatest cheerleader for life!  Gary was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints on May 15, 1976 and married Diane on August 25, 1976. The marriage was  solemnized a year later in the Salt Lake temple.

Gary had various jobs that afforded the family interesting opportunities to experience life in California, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, and Florida. As a result, he has cherished friendships in each of those states. He finished his career in the banking field in Apopka, Florida.

Gary is a man of many talents, but his most valuable attribute is his ability to be a loyal son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend, who set an example of courage in the face of adversity. He knew his share of health challenges but fought a valiant fight with a smile on his face and a laugh in his heart.

Gary was proceeded in death by his father Mark L. Davidson (2011) and mother Elsie May Watts Davidson (2020).

Gary is survived by his sweetheart, Diane, who loved standing by his side as they faced each health challenge he conquered. Also survived by his children; Ariann (Travis Wheeler), Aubrey (Paul Bolton) Bryce (Tiffany), and seven grandchildren who lit his world! Also survived by his only brother, Ron Davidson and his wife Pam.

Services will be held on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 11:00am at the L.D.S. chapel located at 930 So Morningside Dr. St. George, Utah.  Visitation prior to service from 10:15-11:00.

The service can be viewed by zoom here is the link

https://zoom.us/j/8479084790?pwd=ejVsQUlGNlYyVEtzSGNmclZ3S2ZFUT09

Meeting ID: 847 908 4790

Passcode: 122305

or

click on the live-streamed link below