Joseph (JR) Davidson

JOSEPH (J.R.) DAVIDSON of North Little Rock, passed away peacefully in his home on Dec. 14, 2017, at the age of 95. He was born Aug. 14, 1922, in Stella, Ark. He is the son of the late Eli and Agnes (Reeves) Davidson. He is also preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 70 years, Fayna (Smith) Davidson, his brother Jim Davidson, his sisters Imogene Dunn, Meda Calhoun and Lynn Ford. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Nosal of North Little Rock; son, Randy Davidson (Suzann) of Jacksonville; daughters, Cindy Chapman (Ed) of Jacksonville and Beverly Kaplon (Pat) of North Little Rock; grandchildren, Rhonda Nosal, Stephen Nosal, Joey Davidson, Shannon Townsend (Blake), Billy Chapman, Michelle Collins (David), Karen Chapman, Kevin Chapman, Emily Kaplon and great-granddaughters, Lily and McKinley Townsend and Erin Chapman, brothers, Don Davidson (Treva), Bob Davidson (Arlene); sisters, Betty Caraway and Sue Carpenter. J.R. enlisted in the Army Air Corps in Nov. 1942 and served for the duration of World War II. He married Fayna on April 27, 1946 after receiving an honorable discharge from the Army in March. His first job after the war was as a mechanic for Carter Radiator Shop in Little Rock. He built a career in mechanical work. After having worked as an airplane mechanic in the Army and at the radiator shop, he owned a Conoco gas station in North Little Rock where he specialized in repairing radiators. In 1958, he opened Double D Radiator in North Little Rock where he worked until he retired in 1984. J.R. was a charter member of Sherwood First Baptist Church and the Sylvan Hills Masonic Lodge No. 754 He enjoyed many hobbies, his favorite of which was flying his airplane. He loved taking people on their first small plane ride and issuing them a "first flight" certificate. J.R. (Pawpaw) was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who always put his family first. He will be greatly missed but we know we will see him again one day. The family would like to thank Dr. Jasmine Braithwaite and the staff at the UAMS house call program and the staff of Kindred Hospice (Dalphine and Heather) for their loving support and care. Memorials may be made to Kindred Hospice Care, 10800 Financial Centre Parkway, Suite 380, Little Rock, 72211 or Shriners Hospital, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport, La. 71103-4239. Visitation will be held Dec. 18, 5-7 p.m., at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. Graveside service Dec. 19, 1 p.m. Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock.