Roderick "Rod" Wynn Davidson passed away Aug. 31, 2019 at his home in N.E. Portland. He was born June 29, 1933 in Portland to Roderick McCallum and Helen Margaret (Bitner) Davidson and was proud to be a lifelong Portlander. Rod attended Fernwood, Grant, Vanport and in 1956 he graduated from PSU. Shortly thereafter he was drafted into the Army. He returned to Portland in 1958 and became a salesman, selling advertising merchandise, real estate and founding Davidson Lighting Products before retiring in 1990.
Rod married Margaret "Margie" Rose Tarp Sept. 19, 1964. They bought their home in 1967 and raised their children in N.E. Portland. He and Margie had an open door policy and often had friends and family around. You could always find good food, conversation and much laughter in their home. The whole family loved a party! Rod was a great photographer, loved traveling with Margie, classical music and opera. He tried his hand at several different artistic endeavors such as driftwood art and writing haikus.
Rod started volunteering with the scouts as a young man and throughout his life he was involved in helping and mentoring others. He served as an elder, deacon, served on numerous committees at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, as well as singing in the choir for many years. He served on the Community Energy Project Board for 20 years and was a S.E. Portland Rotary Member for over 40 years. He was always community-minded, generous in his spirit of giving and service. Full of good humor, it was a pleasure to visit and work with him.
Most of all, Rod was a "Family Man." He loved his children, Stewart "Jon" (Lisa) Davidson and Helen (Patrick) Robinson; grandchildren, Andrew Davidson, Kathryn Davidson and Karlee Carter; great-grandchild, Lily McConnell; his sister, Margaret E. (Ralph) Frey; sisters-in-law, Mildred Fackler and Martha Wheeler; and many nephews and nieces. Rod was preceded in death by his parents, Roderick McCallum and Helen Margaret Davidson.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at the Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, 1907 N.E. 45th St., Portland, OR 97213. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to RCPPC or S.E. Portland Rotary Club, P.O. Box 82902, Portland, OR 97282-0902. Please email remembrances to [email protected]
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