Douglas Michael Davidson

DAVIDSON, Douglas Michael, was born 16 May 1938 in Salem, Illinois and died 27 September 2023 in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Mr. Davidson graduated from Salem Community High School, where he's a member of the Sports Hall of Fame, in 1956. He attended Mississippi State College on a football scholarship before graduating from Southern Illinois University and later graduated with his M.A. from Pepperdine University.

Barely beating the draft, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and served over 27 years on active duty, attaining the rank of Colonel.

Col. Davidson proudly served two tours of duty in the Republic of Viet Nam, and later served with the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. Service spanning three decades saw him in numerous command and staff assignments.

After retiring in 1989, he worked briefly at Virginia Commonwealth University and for several years as a teacher and administrator at Lloyd C. Bird High School, where he was affectionately known as "Pappy".

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Oleta Davidson of Illinois; a brother, Richard of Oregon; and his first wife, Carolyn Schulz Davidson of Hopewell, VA.

Survivors include his wife, Joy Ferrer Davidson, son Douglas (Jean) M. Davidson, Jr. of Wilmington, NC; daughter Kristin (Dan) Fellows of Henrico, VA; stepson Jonathan Ferrer of Midlothian, VA; granddaughters, Morgan and Katie Davidson; sisters, Diane Davidson of Texas and Pamela Dickerson of Illinois.

Col. Davidson's remains will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Col. Davidson was faithful to his God, loving and devoted to his family, and proud of his service to Corps and Country. Change of station orders are part and parcel for Marines. As Col. Davidson executes his final change of station orders, to him we wish Fair Winds and Following Seas.