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- Niagara Gazette - 9/24/1956
A onetime popular amateur entertainer
in this city, whose career
ranged from truck driver to superintendent
of parks, was found dead
at his home yesterday by his airline-
pilot son.
He was J. Oakley Davidson, 65.
of 1619 Ontario Ave., who worked
until Friday at the Oldbury Chemical
Co. plant where he was a machine
operator for 23 years.
- His son, F. Oakley Davidson, a
pilot for American Airlines, found
his father dead in bed after returning
home from two days of flight
duty. Coroner F. Eugene Ingram
said Mr. Davidson died of natural
causes, probably Friday night.
Mr. Davidson was an amateur
comedian in many minstrel shows
for trie Shriners and other organizations
during the 1920s and
1930s. He also led his own German
band and served as master of
ceremonies for amateur stage
shows.
Born in Olean. Mr. Davidson
came to this city in 1918. He served
in the Mexican Border campaign
and went overseas shortly
afterward as a. supply sergeant in
World War I with Company E of
the 17th Infantry Division. He also
served in the state guard during
World War IT.
Mr. Davidson was formerly employed
by Paul Schoellkopf Sr.
In the early 20s, when Section
C Of the Schoellkopf Station was
constructed, Mr. Davidson drove
a truck in construction of the 32-
foot, 4.400-foot-long hydraulic tunriel.
Mr. Davidson took a six-month
leave of absence from Oldbury to
serve as superintendent of parks
during the administration of the
late former mayor, William R.
Lupton.
His memberships includcd the
Niagara River Lodge No. 785. F
and AM: the Modern Woodmen of
the World and the American Legion.
Mr. Davidson's wife has been a
patient in a hospital for several
months.
Funeral services will be conducted
at 2:30 p. m. on Wednesday at
the Redan/. Funeral Home with the
Rev. Arthur H. Schmoyer, D.D.,
pastor of Zion Fvangelical Church,
officiating. Burial will be in River-
dale Cemetery.
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