Philip Rolland Davidson "PHIL"
1941-2013
Family Man, Businessman, Mr. Fix-It, Collector.
A private funeral service will be held in Arroyo Grande for Philip Rolland Davidson, 72, who died June 19 in Bakersfield after bravely battling Kidney cancer for more than 19 years. A self-made man as humble as the day was long, Phil loved his family and friends dearly, possessed an incredible work ethic and business acumen admired by many, acquired worldly wisdom, and maintained a zest for life. Phil was born April 8, 1941 in North Hollywood to Cleo and Margaret Davidson. He spent his early years in Long Beach before the family moved to Bakersfield where he attended Standard Elementary and North High Schools. Phil was 23 when he fell in love with petroleum tank trucks. He worked for his family's Union Oil Distributorship in Lancaster and eagerly accepted any job in the yard that came his way. He learned quickly how to repair tank wagons, a skill that would serve him well for nearly fifty years. In 1981, he opened his own business; know today as Davidson Enterprises, Inc. in Bakersfield, repairing, servicing and manufacturing tank truck equipment for the liquid petroleum industry. 27 years ago Phil's son Rob joined him, working side by side to build Davidson Tank into the successful family business it is today. Two years ago Phil's daughter Donna joined them, fulfilling Phil's dream of having both his children involved in the business upon his retirement. In 1999 Phil and his wife Patricia moved to Arroyo Grande with Phil commuting to Bakersfield for work until he retired. Las Vegas was a favorite getaway destination for the couple, where Phil enjoyed playing the slots at the Golden Nugget, taking in magic shows, and at long last, was finally able to place a Super Bowl bet on the San Francisco 49ers. Phil had an affinity for sweets, especially homemade chocolate chip cookies, and donuts he would often bring to the office. An avid collector, he was especially fond of his Dinky and Franklin Mint toy cars. When Phil wasn't fixing something, he was teaching others how to put things back together. If Mr. Fix-it couldn't repair it, he had an answer for it. Over the years, family memories were made camping along the Colorado River, water skiing, and daylong boat adventures to London Bridge. Phil was his children and grandchildren's biggest cheerleader, rooting them on from the sidelines of their sporting events. His grandchildren remarked often how generous their 'Papa' was. Phil was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia, his son Rob Davidson (Tonya) and their children Trey, Whitney (Kelly) Marcus, Kelsey and Tanner Smith, his daughter Donna Anspach (Mike) and their children Philip and Claire; Brother Donald Davidson (Eva), and their children Donald, Diane and Yvonne, all of Australia; Stepdaughters Loni Richardson and her children Stevi, Jeffrey and Samantha; Kristi Ward (Brad) and their children Tayler and Kassidi. He will be especially missed by his four-legged best friend Coco, who rode on his lap inside Phil's red truck. Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Curhan and Dr. Greg Newman of Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, Phil's memory may be honored with a donation to Kidney Cancer Association, www.kidneycancer.org, California Independent Oil Marketers Association (CIOMA) Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1001 K Street, 6th Floor, Sacramento, CA, 95814 Phil loved life and lived it well, with humor and character. Our lives are all the richer because of him. "I love you to the moon and stars" - Patricia
Published in Bakersfield Californian on August 4, 2013
1941-2013
Family Man, Businessman, Mr. Fix-It, Collector.
A private funeral service will be held in Arroyo Grande for Philip Rolland Davidson, 72, who died June 19 in Bakersfield after bravely battling Kidney cancer for more than 19 years. A self-made man as humble as the day was long, Phil loved his family and friends dearly, possessed an incredible work ethic and business acumen admired by many, acquired worldly wisdom, and maintained a zest for life. Phil was born April 8, 1941 in North Hollywood to Cleo and Margaret Davidson. He spent his early years in Long Beach before the family moved to Bakersfield where he attended Standard Elementary and North High Schools. Phil was 23 when he fell in love with petroleum tank trucks. He worked for his family's Union Oil Distributorship in Lancaster and eagerly accepted any job in the yard that came his way. He learned quickly how to repair tank wagons, a skill that would serve him well for nearly fifty years. In 1981, he opened his own business; know today as Davidson Enterprises, Inc. in Bakersfield, repairing, servicing and manufacturing tank truck equipment for the liquid petroleum industry. 27 years ago Phil's son Rob joined him, working side by side to build Davidson Tank into the successful family business it is today. Two years ago Phil's daughter Donna joined them, fulfilling Phil's dream of having both his children involved in the business upon his retirement. In 1999 Phil and his wife Patricia moved to Arroyo Grande with Phil commuting to Bakersfield for work until he retired. Las Vegas was a favorite getaway destination for the couple, where Phil enjoyed playing the slots at the Golden Nugget, taking in magic shows, and at long last, was finally able to place a Super Bowl bet on the San Francisco 49ers. Phil had an affinity for sweets, especially homemade chocolate chip cookies, and donuts he would often bring to the office. An avid collector, he was especially fond of his Dinky and Franklin Mint toy cars. When Phil wasn't fixing something, he was teaching others how to put things back together. If Mr. Fix-it couldn't repair it, he had an answer for it. Over the years, family memories were made camping along the Colorado River, water skiing, and daylong boat adventures to London Bridge. Phil was his children and grandchildren's biggest cheerleader, rooting them on from the sidelines of their sporting events. His grandchildren remarked often how generous their 'Papa' was. Phil was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia, his son Rob Davidson (Tonya) and their children Trey, Whitney (Kelly) Marcus, Kelsey and Tanner Smith, his daughter Donna Anspach (Mike) and their children Philip and Claire; Brother Donald Davidson (Eva), and their children Donald, Diane and Yvonne, all of Australia; Stepdaughters Loni Richardson and her children Stevi, Jeffrey and Samantha; Kristi Ward (Brad) and their children Tayler and Kassidi. He will be especially missed by his four-legged best friend Coco, who rode on his lap inside Phil's red truck. Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Curhan and Dr. Greg Newman of Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, Phil's memory may be honored with a donation to Kidney Cancer Association, www.kidneycancer.org, California Independent Oil Marketers Association (CIOMA) Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1001 K Street, 6th Floor, Sacramento, CA, 95814 Phil loved life and lived it well, with humor and character. Our lives are all the richer because of him. "I love you to the moon and stars" - Patricia
Published in Bakersfield Californian on August 4, 2013
Philip Rolland Davidson "PHIL"
1941-2013
Family Man, Businessman, Mr. Fix-It, Collector.
A private funeral service will be held in Arroyo Grande for Philip Rolland Davidson, 72, who died June 19 in Bakersfield after bravely battling Kidney cancer for more than 19 years. A self-made man as humble as the day was long, Phil loved his family and friends dearly, possessed an incredible work ethic and business acumen admired by many, acquired worldly wisdom, and maintained a zest for life. Phil was born April 8, 1941 in North Hollywood to Cleo and Margaret Davidson. He spent his early years in Long Beach before the family moved to Bakersfield where he attended Standard Elementary and North High Schools. Phil was 23 when he fell in love with petroleum tank trucks. He worked for his family's Union Oil Distributorship in Lancaster and eagerly accepted any job in the yard that came his way. He learned quickly how to repair tank wagons, a skill that would serve him well for nearly fifty years. In 1981, he opened his own business; know today as Davidson Enterprises, Inc. in Bakersfield, repairing, servicing and manufacturing tank truck equipment for the liquid petroleum industry. 27 years ago Phil's son Rob joined him, working side by side to build Davidson Tank into the successful family business it is today. Two years ago Phil's daughter Donna joined them, fulfilling Phil's dream of having both his children involved in the business upon his retirement. In 1999 Phil and his wife Patricia moved to Arroyo Grande with Phil commuting to Bakersfield for work until he retired. Las Vegas was a favorite getaway destination for the couple, where Phil enjoyed playing the slots at the Golden Nugget, taking in magic shows, and at long last, was finally able to place a Super Bowl bet on the San Francisco 49ers. Phil had an affinity for sweets, especially homemade chocolate chip cookies, and donuts he would often bring to the office. An avid collector, he was especially fond of his Dinky and Franklin Mint toy cars. When Phil wasn't fixing something, he was teaching others how to put things back together. If Mr. Fix-it couldn't repair it, he had an answer for it. Over the years, family memories were made camping along the Colorado River, water skiing, and daylong boat adventures to London Bridge. Phil was his children and grandchildren's biggest cheerleader, rooting them on from the sidelines of their sporting events. His grandchildren remarked often how generous their 'Papa' was. Phil was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia, his son Rob Davidson (Tonya) and their children Trey, Whitney (Kelly) Marcus, Kelsey and Tanner Smith, his daughter Donna Anspach (Mike) and their children Philip and Claire; Brother Donald Davidson (Eva), and their children Donald, Diane and Yvonne, all of Australia; Stepdaughters Loni Richardson and her children Stevi, Jeffrey and Samantha; Kristi Ward (Brad) and their children Tayler and Kassidi. He will be especially missed by his four-legged best friend Coco, who rode on his lap inside Phil's red truck. Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Curhan and Dr. Greg Newman of Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, Phil's memory may be honored with a donation to Kidney Cancer Association, www.kidneycancer.org, California Independent Oil Marketers Association (CIOMA) Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1001 K Street, 6th Floor, Sacramento, CA, 95814 Phil loved life and lived it well, with humor and character. Our lives are all the richer because of him. "I love you to the moon and stars" - Patricia
Published in Bakersfield Californian on August 4, 2013
1941-2013
Family Man, Businessman, Mr. Fix-It, Collector.
A private funeral service will be held in Arroyo Grande for Philip Rolland Davidson, 72, who died June 19 in Bakersfield after bravely battling Kidney cancer for more than 19 years. A self-made man as humble as the day was long, Phil loved his family and friends dearly, possessed an incredible work ethic and business acumen admired by many, acquired worldly wisdom, and maintained a zest for life. Phil was born April 8, 1941 in North Hollywood to Cleo and Margaret Davidson. He spent his early years in Long Beach before the family moved to Bakersfield where he attended Standard Elementary and North High Schools. Phil was 23 when he fell in love with petroleum tank trucks. He worked for his family's Union Oil Distributorship in Lancaster and eagerly accepted any job in the yard that came his way. He learned quickly how to repair tank wagons, a skill that would serve him well for nearly fifty years. In 1981, he opened his own business; know today as Davidson Enterprises, Inc. in Bakersfield, repairing, servicing and manufacturing tank truck equipment for the liquid petroleum industry. 27 years ago Phil's son Rob joined him, working side by side to build Davidson Tank into the successful family business it is today. Two years ago Phil's daughter Donna joined them, fulfilling Phil's dream of having both his children involved in the business upon his retirement. In 1999 Phil and his wife Patricia moved to Arroyo Grande with Phil commuting to Bakersfield for work until he retired. Las Vegas was a favorite getaway destination for the couple, where Phil enjoyed playing the slots at the Golden Nugget, taking in magic shows, and at long last, was finally able to place a Super Bowl bet on the San Francisco 49ers. Phil had an affinity for sweets, especially homemade chocolate chip cookies, and donuts he would often bring to the office. An avid collector, he was especially fond of his Dinky and Franklin Mint toy cars. When Phil wasn't fixing something, he was teaching others how to put things back together. If Mr. Fix-it couldn't repair it, he had an answer for it. Over the years, family memories were made camping along the Colorado River, water skiing, and daylong boat adventures to London Bridge. Phil was his children and grandchildren's biggest cheerleader, rooting them on from the sidelines of their sporting events. His grandchildren remarked often how generous their 'Papa' was. Phil was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia, his son Rob Davidson (Tonya) and their children Trey, Whitney (Kelly) Marcus, Kelsey and Tanner Smith, his daughter Donna Anspach (Mike) and their children Philip and Claire; Brother Donald Davidson (Eva), and their children Donald, Diane and Yvonne, all of Australia; Stepdaughters Loni Richardson and her children Stevi, Jeffrey and Samantha; Kristi Ward (Brad) and their children Tayler and Kassidi. He will be especially missed by his four-legged best friend Coco, who rode on his lap inside Phil's red truck. Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Curhan and Dr. Greg Newman of Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, Phil's memory may be honored with a donation to Kidney Cancer Association, www.kidneycancer.org, California Independent Oil Marketers Association (CIOMA) Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1001 K Street, 6th Floor, Sacramento, CA, 95814 Phil loved life and lived it well, with humor and character. Our lives are all the richer because of him. "I love you to the moon and stars" - Patricia
Published in Bakersfield Californian on August 4, 2013
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