In Memory
George Vernon (Vern) Davidson was born in Grass Valley,California on August 17,1942 to Glen Elmer Davidson and Lillian Beryl Davidson. He fought a great battle but could not defeat the cancer that took his life on October 23, 2015.
Growing up in Napa on Glenwood Drive, he was one of about ten young boys who played all kinds of sports and games and only came inside when it rained or became too dark to see. He probably developed his competitive spirit from all of the creative sporting events in which the Glenwood Drive gang participated and Vern would think nothing of sliding into a base on the blacktop baseball diamond in the middle of the cul-de-sac.
Vern was a talented athlete and had wonderful times playing baseball and football at all levels. He was on the Spiders Fly League baseball team and the spiders on the team's caps were made by his mother. He excelled as a pass receiver for the Redwood Warriors Junior High, the Napa High School Indians and the Napa College Chiefs football teams. The Dick Brooks to Vern Davidson pass completions were frequent...Vern would say legendary. He also played and/or coached fastpitch softball for fifty years and played on a Semi-Pro baseball team for two years.
The defining moment in his sports life was when he caught the winning touch-down pass from Dick Brooks to defeat the highly regarded Sacramento Dragons in the Napa High School Indian's first game of the year. The Sacramento newspaper had suggested that fans bring their calculators to the game as they predicted Napa would lose 46 to 0.The Indians went on to have Napa High's first undefeated and untied season. Vern always recognized and appreciated how fortunate he was to be on this team which was loaded with exceptionally talented players.
Vern was also in the Napa High Band and Choir. He was the Fall Senior Class Vice President and voted Most Attractive, was in the Block N Club and the Librarians.
After high school, Vern enlisted in the Marine Corp and spent three years serving our country. He was always very proud of having been a Marine.
After attending Napa College, Vern went on to Cal State Hayward where he received his Bachelor Degree. Vern then taught school and coached football and soccer for several years before he and his wife, Sherry, opened Davidson Travel Service. They operated this business for several years after which he was a salesman for the remainder of his life ending his career operating a swimming pool fencing business.
Vern was a great son, great brother, great friend and an amazing father. He never met a person who didn't automatically become a friend. A party always got better when Vern showed up.
Vern is survived by a son, Darryll, and a daughter, Preslie, brother, Ed (Gwen), brother, Wayne (Linda), brother, John (Kathy), brother, Tom, (Linda), sister, Susie (Richard), cousin, George (Linda), cousin, Rich (Diane) and cousin, Frank (Cyndi).
There will be a celebration of Vern's life on December 5 at 11:00 AM at the Native Sons Hall, located at 937 Coombs Street, Napa,CA.
Michael "Mike" Cook
In my senior year I had two classes with Vern and Darryll, in one class I sat in the back of the classroom with the two of them, I didn't do well in that class but it was a riot every day, lots of laughs, in the other class it was Mr. Pricert's english class. Mr. Pricert had us read as he was working on some papers for a class or presentation he was to make that night at U.C. Berkeley. He had to leave the classroom for a while and put Vern in charge (I questioned his judgement on this). After he left either Vern or Darryll went out and came back with a fake throwup barf that looked very real. They put it on top of his paperwork and had Darryll sit at the desk. When Mr. Pricert came back to the class, Vern said "oh Mr. Pricert, I had Darryll come up to read and he got sick". I watched Mr. Pricert's face go completely white as he was horrified, just then Vern picks up the barf and says "we were only kidding", at that moment the entire classroom erupted in laughter that you could hear around the entire school. Mr. Pricert was so happy his paperwork was okay he dismissed the class. The last time I saw Darryll and Vern together was when they were home on leave from the Marine Corp and showed up at a JC dance. Their stories of their expereinces at basic training were very funny, especially when Vern was caught wearing his Marine Corp PT trunks backwards and had explain why to the DI. They held court for hours. I miss the laughs we used to have.
Arlie Lloyd
Vern was not a big man, but he had a big presense on the football field. He was fast and wirey, and could be in the right place at the right time to make the yards we needed. He loved foorball, and being an athelete. Vern was always fun to be around. He used to tease me allot, and we always laughed allot when he and Darryl, my cousin, and I, were together.
We always had this silly call we used when we saw each other. Ahh Hew Hoo. Hard to mimic, but it was finny to us. After H.S. it was time to grow up, and Vern went to the Marine Corp. He made a fine Marine, and he was proud to be one. I will miss not seeing Vern, and God willing, we will meet again, in much better circumstances. Rest in peace Vern.
Philip "Phil" Teaderman
I enjoyed knowing Vern from being in band together playing the baritone,as well being in gym class and other classes,Vern was always a guy who was sincere and enjoyed being someone who showed respect to his fellow friends. I remember talking to Vern at the class reunion and thought how sad it was, being so far apart,we couldn't keep a closer connection. I send my deepest condolences to Vern's family and friends
PhilipTeaderman
James (Jim) Pearl
Dear Family of Vern Davidson,
We are so very sorry to hear about Vern passing away at only "73." I always remember Vern wearing his Block N sweater to classes. My Dad had played football for Napa in the 1930s; and I connected to Vern, as he carried on the "Napa Tradition!"
Psalm 18: 28-29 says, For THOU wilt light my candle: the LORD my GOD will enlighten my darkness. For by THEE I have run through a troup; and by my GOD have I leaped over a wall.
Rosa, my wife, and I now live in Northern Idaho in Hayden Lake, and the Davidson Family is always welcome to stay in our Home, should You be in our area in the years to come. We can be reached at 208-7721890.
With Our Deepest Sympathy, Jim and Rosa Pearl
Richard "Dick" Curtis
I am so sorry to hear about Vern's passing on. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. Vern grew up in our neighborhood in Glennwood Drive, just a couple of blocks away from our home at the corner of G and Georgia. It was a great neighborhood to grow up in. Craig College, Jim Hempler, Chuck Brovelli, Mike Black, Jim Andrews, Glen Henderson, Lee Gaba, Darryl Hunter, Darryl Dudley and many more lived in the immediate neighborhood. We all used to spend a lot of time in the Old Gym at Napa High and on the athletic fields to the West of the gym playing basketball and football. I really enjoyed being in band with Vern and his brother Ed. I remember spending a lot of time in the late summer over on Glennwood Drive selling corn I had grown out on my grandfather's farm in Coombsville to the mothers in the neighborhood and on the alphabet streets, usually beating Lyerla's Market price and delivering to the home. Vern's mother, Mike Black's mother and Jim Andrew's mother were my best customers in Glennwood Drive. I am glad I got to see Vern at the reunions and get a chance to talk to him a little. Nice comments from Jim Pearl over in Idaho.