Charles William Davidson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Obituary To be in compliance with the Covid-19 restrictions, the family will open the viewing and graveside to the public. However, the funeral service will be private. Charles William Davidson was born November 23, 1930 in Bache, Oklahoma. The fifth of eight children to Mary Riley and Charles Dow Davidson. Growing up during the depression in rural eastern Oklahoma was not an easy life. Bill, as he was known then, helped with the family farm, plowing with horses, tending the crops, chickens and cows, mined for coal to heat the house, and picked blackberries every summer. By the time he was 12 he looked old enough to hire for construction jobs in the summer. By 16, he joined the peacetime Air Force, being discharged just 9 days before the start of the Korean conflict. Upon his return he took classes at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, and plotted his future. In 1951 he hit the road with his friend Jerry, to find his fortune, first trying Kansas City, then Los Angeles, and finally settling in San Jose California, the Valley of the Hearts Delight, as it was known back then. Chuck fell in love with the valley and its perfect weather, and later was introduced to a local girl, Anita Wien. For a time he worked for the State Highway department building Highway 17. After that, Chuck was hired on as a civilian to go to the Bikini Atoll to work as a surveyor on the first hydrogen bomb. Upon returning, he continued his education at San Jose State, and worked in the railroad yards at night. Eventually, he accepted a job with the planning department for the city of San Jose. He married Anita and started a family, settling in the Willow Glen area. They had four children, Cheryl, Charles William Jr ‘Bill’, Sandra and Stephanie. Always keeping an eye out for opportunity, Charles discovered the new post war housing boom. With his partner and mentor Don Kavanaugh, he embarked on his journey of being a major housing developer in the valley, specializing in low income, and starter homes for families. Although he tried many hobbies such as golf and flying, he found he always preferred to be working in the office on his latest projects. He started multiple companies involving surveying, construction, development, and management in the real estate field, and thought of his office staff as his second family. Charles was an avid traveler, going to the Soviet Union and Eastern block states in the 1970’s. As China opened up in the 1980’s, he made repeated trips there, and was able to watch it transition from a rural to modern country. Eventually, he visited all 50 states and 7 continents. The one passion outside of business he never wavered on was San Jose State football. Other than missing the 1952 season to go to the South Pacific, he attended virtually every home game in 1951 and from 1953 until his health began to fail just a few years ago. He usually attended at least one road game a year as well, often traveling with the team. Charles passed peacefully, at age 90, knowing he had lived more life and made more of an impact than he could have ever possibly imagined in his youth. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Cheryl and Sandra. Charles is survived by his wife, Anita, children Bill and Stephanie and six wonderful grandkids, Lillian, Savannah, Gabriella, Gavin, Billy and Stella. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, Chuck was a proud supporter of the McAlester, Oklahoma Women’s Shelter. Donations can be made on-line to Shared Blessings at sharedblessings.tv or mailed to 1558 S. Main McAlester, Ok 74501. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles William Davidson, please visit our floral store.

Charles William Davidson

November 23, 1930 - March 25, 2021