Clarence Allen "Dave" Davidson

The large clan of Clarence Allen "Dave" Davidson mourns the loss of their beloved father and grandfather, who was born on June 27, 1927, in Plains New Mexico (now part of Albuquerque), and died peacefully in his Albuquerque home after a short illness on June 7th, 2015, just shy of his 88th birthday. Dave is survived by his six children, to whom he devoted his life: Margaret Ellen Carbonatto and husband Alain of Queensland, Australia; Janie Ann Daniels and husband Michael of Tijeras, NM; John Christopher Davidson and partner Joan Irey of Albuquerque; Mary Beth Maloy and husband Dion Patrick of Albuquerque; Christine Marie Mayer and husband Randy of Albuquerque; and Carol Lee Andersen and husband Kevin of Houston, TX; by 10 biological grandchildren and eight grandchildren by marriage; and by three biological great-grandchildren. Dave is predeceased by his cherished wife, Joan Bernice Stockman Davidson. One of seven children, Dave is survived by two siblings, James and Jean. Deeply patriotic and ever up for adventure, Dave left high school at 16 to join the Navy, serving on the Pacific front during World War II. He left the Navy after four years of service and was promptly conscripted by the Army, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. While many would moan this turn of events, Dave was grateful for his deployment, as it was on weekend leave during his Army stint that he met Joan through a mutual friend. Romance blossomed, and in late 1951, Joan and Dave were married in New York (Joan's home state), beginning a love affair that would span more than six decades. Bringing his "little bride" back to his native New Mexico, Dave set about creating a family and making a life. This included gaining a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the then-University of Albuquerque: a degree earned with great personal commitment, as Dave could only attend classes at night after work with children at home. Dave had a distinguished career, his sole employer past his service to our country was at Sandia Laboratories, an employer whom Dave would faithfully serve until retiring at age 68 with great honours. Despite his great work, Dave's children and wife guided his daily life. He put his love for them before himself always, he never failed to miss a ball game, a ballet, or a concert. He was even willing to rise above his distaste for water to join his children in relentless motorboat and Marco Polo games at the Coronado service club where the family lived during the summers. He endured countless suitors courting his five daughters and still managed to retain his stands of brown hair to his death, raising five spirted daughters is a statement to his solidarity and great disposition. His son John was the apple of his eye, he delighted in his son's love of nature and they spent all of John's lifetime forging an infinite bond working in the garden with our mother at their side marvelling at the beauty they co- created. There was no more enthusiastic maintainer of home and garden than Dave. He took great pride in every home they owned, creating an outdoor sanctuary of colour, harmony, playhouses, monkey bars, swing sets, croquet, shuffle board bike ramps, fish ponds, for his children and grandchildren to have a magical childhood: There was never a Christmas that went by without pulling an all nighter assembling toys and ensuring the stocking were hung for the delight of his six children's eyes spaning nearly seventeen years from the oldest to the baby. Despite the relentlessly busy decades of work and bringing up the family, Dave and Joan spent many happy years dancing together, becoming highly skilled at Round Dancing and enjoying nights to celebrate their love for one another and have fun together! Dave also enjoyed a good card game, but never let his leisure pursuits get in the way of serving his family -including his large family of origin - or helping out someone in need, including little things like never missing a morning to deliver his neighbour's paper right inside his front door. Dave was fit, strong, and healthy throughout his life, still climbing onto the roof himself into his mid-eighties to change over the heater to air-conditioning every spring. He was had the biggest heart, the warmest smile, a charm that melted hearts, the strongest arms, the softest touch, the deepest chuckle, the funniest sense of humour, the deepest most sincere brown eyes, the most gregarious approach to everyone he met, a stranger was a friend that Dave had not yet met. His presence will be so sorely missed in all of our lives and those of the people who he touched so deeply. Dave was a regular member of Prince of Peace Catholic Community, attending weekly mass. His memorial mass will be celebrated there (12500 Carmel Ave., N.E.) on Thursday morning, June 18th, at 10:00am. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery in the afternoon at 2:00pm. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, June 19th, 2015, at 3:00pm., at French Mortuary on Lomas.