Obituary

Lester Garland Davidson
July 5, 1918 – Aug. 28, 2009

Lester Garland Davidson, 91, who was born in a dugout home in Plain, N.M., in Quay County, on July 5, 1918, and came to Albuquerque through Tijeras Canyon in a covered wagon in 1928, passed away Friday, August 28, 2009, at his home in Bosque Farms. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary June Wright Davidson.
Davidson lived in Socorro County (Bosque and Veguita) for many years following his retirement in the 1980s in Albuquerque.
Davidson was the son of John C. Davidson and Elizabeth Rector Davidson, who came to Quay County and Plain from Bowling Green, Ky., to homestead in 1907.
A World War II veteran, Davidson was an Army infantryman in the Pacific theater, and was part of an invasion force into Japan until the use of the atomic bomb ended the conflict. He was one of four brothers in the war. The others, all of Albuquerque and still living, are Clint Davidson, 94, and younger brothers James (Jay) 87, and Dave, 82. Lester is also survived by a sister, Jean Seck of California. Two sisters, Daisy Givens of Albuquerque, and Lena Neuman of Tucumcari preceded him in death.
He is also survived by four children – daughters Lesta Davidson Moffett of Bosque Farms, Leslie Anne Gabaldon of Albuquerque, and Elaine Hurd of Haskell, Okla., and son, Lester Davidson Jr., of Bosque, N.M. He left nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Davidson will be laid to rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery next to his wife.
He attended Forrest Grade School, Quay County, before coming to Albuquerque where he attended Monte Vista Grade School, Lincoln Junior High and Albuquerque High. He worked at Kinsella Glass for more than three decades, and served as shop foreman for most of that time.
As a young man, Lester played semi-pro baseball in Albuquerque’s top league, along with his brothers and father, who often made up most of the infield, including the pitcher. In the late 1930s an American Legion team he played for, Coca Cola Bottling, represented New Mexico in a national tournament in Wichita. He also bowled in Albuquerque’s highest leagues.
He will be remembered for many things, including his strong work ethnic and love of family.
There will be a celebration of his life at the home he shared with his daughter Lesta and her husband in Bosque Farms, 900 Green Acres Lane, at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4. All are invited to attend the celebration and share memories.

Obituary