Paul O. Davidson

Paul O. Davidson was born to Charles W. Davidson and Erma E. (Larkins) Davidson September 13, 1921, on a farm in Republic County, Kansas. He passed away December 17, 2015, attaining the age of 94 years. Paul was given his name by his grandmother Davidson as it was her request that one of her grandsons be named “Paul”. He grew up on the farm until age 15 when his father moved his family to Alexandria in 1936. Paul entered the Alexandria High School during his sophomore year. Paul soon became aware of a pretty little dark haired girl named Bonnie Beth Dein. They dated during their High School years where Paul graduated in 1939 and Bonnie in 1940, both being salutatorian of their class. They married June 14, 1942, in the Alexandria Presbyterian Church. They raised two daughters, Shari Lee and Rhonda Rene. Both daughters gave them a grandson and granddaughter, Shari – Bradley Paul Jarchow and Kelly Layne Jarchow, and Rhonda – Kari Shay Henning and Jason Wayne Henning. Brad gave them two great granddaughters and Kelly three great granddaughters. Kari gave them a great granddaughter. Paul loved his family dearly and was happiest when among them.

During World War II, Paul served his country in the United States Air Corps with the B-25 Bomber. (The plane that bombed Japan). Following those years, Paul returned to Alexandria and formed a partnership with his father known as the Davidson Oil Company. In 1956 Paul was appointed Postmaster in Alexandria, NE. and served in that capacity for 32 years. In addition to his duties as postmaster, Paul was asked and accepted other positions within the department, including consolidating rural routes, training new postmasters, was District Director and also served on a board recommending the appointment of new postmasters. Paul retired in 1986 shortly after his 65th birthday.

Paul’s hobbies were restoring old cars, bowling and playing baseball. He was an avid Nebraska sports fan. He had as many as 13 old cars at one time. His main love was his 1936 Chevy that he drove his new bride to Kansas City the day of their marriage.

Paul was a longtime member of the Alexandria Presbyterian Church, serving as Elder, Trustee, Clerk of Session, Treasurer, Pastoral Committee, and sang in the Choir. He was a member of the male quartet for many years. His love for his church never wavered.

Paul and Bonnie purchased a home in Mission, Texas where they spent their winters for 17 years until Bonnie’s health dictated that they return home on a permanent basis. After living in their Alexandria home for 51 years, it was sold and they moved to Fairbury, NE where Bonnie could be close to the doctors and the care that she needed. Fairbury remained their home their remaining years.

He leaves to mourn daughter Shari Schwisow and her husband Dennis, daughter Rhonda Henning & life partner-spouse Dawn Wiedel, grandson Bradley Jarchow and his wife Vicki, granddaughter Kelly Maronde and husband Darren, granddaughter Kari Henning and fiancé Ron Pester, grandson Jason Henning and partner Jen Knific, great-granddaughter Alexandra Swarts and fiancé Leighton Fintel, great-granddaughter Jenica Jarchow, great-granddaughter Jadelyn Jarchow, great-granddaughter Atlanta Maronde, great-granddaughter Allee Maronde, great-granddaughter Ansley Maronde, great-granddaughter Madeline Hansen, step-grandson Kevin Schwisow, step granddaughter Kelly Theis and her husband Scott, step great-grandson Michael Theis and wife Bethany and their children Madison, Gabrielle and Bailey, step great-granddaughter Wendy Zielke and her husband Josh and their children Alex & Eli, step great-granddaughter Danielle Jaeger and husband Jacob and their children Charlotte & Huckson, and many other relatives and a host of friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife Bonnie, son-in-law Jack Jarchow, grandson Terry Jarchow, sisters Genevieve McCall, Sybil Rahe, and Lois Snyder, brothers Leonard Davidson, Lloyd Davidson, Wilmer Davidson and Leslie Davidson, and his parents Charles and Erma (Larkins) Davidson.

The family will greet friends at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home on Tuesday December 22, 2015 from 6-8 pm. Services will be Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, NE with Lana Likens officiating, and the burial at the Alexandria Cemetery. Refreshments will be served at the Church after the burial service.