Ernie Davidson

Ernie Davidson went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at the age of eighty-seven years. He was born on January 26, 1927 in Mannford, Oklahoma; the son of Jacob E. and Rosie (Kelly) Davidson. Ernie was raised and attended school in Mannford. Upon completion of his education, Ernie worked with his father in the feed store in Mannford for several years. At the age of eighteen, Ernie enlisted into the service of his country in the United States Merchant Marines. Upon completion of U. S. Maritime service training, Ernie was assigned to a liberty ship. Merchant mariners were on the front lines the moment their ships left U. S. ports, and were subject to attacks by bombers, kamikaze, battleships, submarines, mines and land-based artillery. His ship was actually hit by a kamikaze while Ernie was in the engine room. Upon his honorable discharge, Ernie returned to Oklahoma. Upon completion of his military service, Ernie began a long career working as a pipe fitter. He was nearly a sixty-year member of the United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union. Currently a member of United Association Local #430; this local was a consolidation of locals #205, #351, #397, #767 into local #430 on Dec. 1st., 1997. The strong points of each local union were brought together to create a new and better Local. With this consolidation approximately 1500 UA trained journeymen and apprentices were brought together as charter members of Local #430; one of which was Ernie Davidson. Ernie worked on projects throughout the central United States including Denver, Colorado and Salina, Kansas, Each of these projects were in the contruction of nuclear missle silos for the United States Government. Ernie, along with Lloyd Young were instrumental in solving major construction problems with the silos to allow them to be consturcted in a timely fashion. Ernie was married to Alvera Wilcoxson on January 22, 1949 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. The couple has made their home in Cleveland for the past sixty-five years raising three sons, Ernie Lee, Leornad and Thomas. Although he worked in the pipe fitting business for over fifty years, Ernieís true passion and career was as a thoroughbred horse breeder and trainer. He owned and operated Maramec Farms for nearly fifteen years, producing many multiple stake winners. He also worked with Earl Gibble Farms for many years; serving as his trainer. He has owned partial interest with many individuals in the area and been extremely successful in the breeding and racing of thoroughbred horses. A few of his more successful horses were, Dub, Garbu, Horine, Garbuís Son, Tulsa World, Bow Time, Garbu and She, and most recently Louisiana Light. He was considered as an extremely knowledgeable breeder and owner and was sought after for his expertise throughout the buisness. Ernie served as racing superindentant at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore for several years. Ernie was an avid baseball fan; enjoying the Texas Rangers. He was a sucessful pitcher on a minor leauge professional baseball team for a few years before a rotator cuff injury sidelined his career. He continued to enjoy baseball throughout his life, watching his sons play for many years and continuing until just recently watching his grandchildren play and was looking forward to the careers of his great-grandchildren. When family and friends would come to his home, he would always ask, ìare you hungry, have you eat?î Spending time with his family and friends was one of Ernieís favorite pasttimes and he was never without an interesting story to share about either his family, horses or a pipe fitting job. He loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was not bashful about sharing his faith with those around him. Although his health had been failing over the past year, he continued to look forward to the day on Thursday, June 12, 2014 when he was escorted by angels to his heavenly home. There mybe no horse racing in heaven, but Ernie is in the Lordís Winner Circle now. He will be missed by his family and all the friends that he had made throughout the years. He is survived by his wife, Alvera of the home; two sons, Leonard and his wife, Linda of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Thomas ìT. W.î of Cleveland, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren, Clint Davidson, Jacob Davidson, Trey Davidson, Eric Davidson, Tommy Davidson, Tracy Lynn Cheek, Tiffany Cornwell, Stephanie, Lance and Chassidy; and eleven great-grandchildren. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Ernie Lee Davidson; six brothers, Leslie, Carl, Willie, Edgar, Leonard and Floyd; and two sisters, Eula Mae and Ruby. A celebrtion of Ernieís life wil be held at 10:00 am, Monday, June 16, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland with Rev. Greg Hall officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.