John Wayne Davidson

On May 24, 1951 John Wayne Davidson was born in San Pedro, Ca. He enjoyed growing up in a port city with its own fishing fleet. However, John preferred fishing on rivers and lakes, and from the time he was old enough to cast a fishing line, going to the Colorado River to camp and fish was what he loved most.

John was an incredible swimmer, and as a member of the high school swim team won several state medals. His butterfly stroke was on par with Mark Spitz's, and his moustache was even more impressive. While in school, he started working at the News Pilot/Daily Breeze. He also met his future wife Laureen Demaria at school. Sharing classes together at Dana Junior High, they became fast friends. John married Laureen just 2 years out of high school. It was a wedding ceremony not to be forgotten. He passed out twice while at the altar, yet it worked; they were married for 54 years.

In 1973 Kimberly Jo Davidson was born. She was the light of his heart, and he taught her to fish and to love the River like he did.

In 1977 John's father-in-law started a small company called Demaria Electric. Just Anthony F. Demaria, John, and his brother-in-law Danny Demaria. It grew FAST. He was so proud to have been a part of the family business.

In 1984 on the way home from a trip to the River, John calmly announced he wanted to move to Bullhead. The next day a "for sale" sign was on our front lawn in San Pedro. We moved. Without a job. Without a home. We rented the first house available. A new life had started. A few months later John announced he was joining Bullhead's volunteer fire department. His wife Laureen laughed. He explained it would hopefully lead to a paying position, as the fire district was just then forming in town. He started permanently in just a year. We instantly had a Bullhead Family. He received a Fire Science Degree from Mohave Community College and moved on up the ladder. (Yes that is a pun.)

John helped to build many firefighters' homes, and they helped build his. Community service was a huge part of being a firefighter. He also helped with the electrical for two fire stations that were constructed in Bullhead during this time. In between he would travel to California to help out Demaria Electric when their work got heavy.

John fought a brave fight against cancer. A lengthy one. Some say it was because he was so darn stubborn. Others know it was because he loved us all so much. He leaves his wife Laureen, daughter Kimberly, son-in-law David, and grandchildren Dalton and Renn. He also leaves his dear friends Rick & Judy and Kevin & Jenny, as well as a family of brothers, sisters, and dozens of nieces and nephews that he loved.

We are praying he catches that big bass in heaven.