Forrest E. Davidson

Forrest Edward Davidson, "Mr. D" or "Woody", 88, of Topeka, passed away Monday, November 21, 2016, in his home, after a three-year battle against lung cancer.

Forrest was born April 22, 1928, in Wichita, KS to Esther (Gantz) and Floyd Q. Davidson. As the son of a Congregational pastor, he grew up in Wichita, KS; Somanauk, IL; Kinsley, KS; Wellington, KS; and again in Wichita. He graduated from the University of Wichita with a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a Major in Voice and a Master of Music Education Degree with a Major in Voice.

Forrest married Gloria Fetters in 1948. He leaves five children. Forrest taught vocal music, music theory, and guitar, as well as private voice lessons and coaching tennis, in Hays, Manhattan, Topeka, and Salina, KS. He sang solos and directed church choirs in every town in which they lived. He sang lead roles in the Summer Musicals at KSU, with the Topeka Symphony Chorus, Salina Chorale, and Shawnee Chorale. He was on the Board of Directors for the Topeka Community Concert Association. He was a Life Member of the American Choral Directors Association, Life Member of the Phi Mu Alpha Symphonia, member of Kansas Music Educators Association, National Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Delta Kappa, and Lions Club. He was KMEA State Choral Chairman, ACDA District III President, received the Harry Robert Wilson Award from the Kansas ACDA in 1974-75 for outstanding contribution to the Choral Music Profession. He conducted four three-week European Concert Tours of high school choirs; directed and/or produced 35 Broadway musicals; and directed many major choral works. Forrest was inducted into the Kansas Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 1993.

Forrest was a man of many talents, from teaching to building to singing to playing tennis. Mr. D taught at Hays High School from 1950-53; Manhattan High School from 1953-62; Topeka West High School from 1962-1979; Salina South High School from 1979-85; and Washburn Rural High School from 1985-1988. His hobbies in later years were playing golf and creating stained-glass windows of his own design.

Forrest was predeceased by his wife of 58 years in 2006; his parents; his brothers: George and John D; and is survived by his five children: Debbi Pierce of Sacramento, CA; Rick Davidson (Connie) of Shawnee, KS; Kathy Letch (Pete) of Topeka, KS; Jay Davidson (Val) of Overland Park, KS; and Steve Davidson (Erin) of Exeter, RI; his ten grandchildren: Kevin Davidson (Albina), Rebecca Neal, Andrea Ellis (Josh), Griffin Letch, Kaitlyn Davidson, Moriah Obermueller (Gordon), Gabriel Letch (Rachel), Alex Davidson, Taylor Davidson, and Cole Davidson; and nine great-grandchildren: Jackson Pierce and Violet Neal; Piper, Oliver, Penelope, and Theodore Ellis; Wynter and Hunter Davidson; and GP Obermueller; and special friend and companion Lois Watson of Scottsdale, AZ.

Visitation with family and friends will be on Friday, December 2, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue in Topeka. A Celebration Service will be held in Forrest's memory on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Countryside United Methodist Church at 3221 SW Burlingame Road in Topeka. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society or American Heart Association, in care of Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel.

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