REX DOWDY DAVIDSON, II, age 70, died Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at his home near Diehlstadt.

Born June 3, 1947, at Clarkton, MO, to the late Rex Dowdy and Marjorie Cordelia Blaylock Davidson, he had lived in the Charleston area most of his life. A 1965 graduate of Charleston High School, he joined the Missouri National Guard and then enlisted in the US Army. He fought in Vietnam serving in frontline infantry and obtained the rank of Sargent. Upon his discharge from the Army in September of 1971, he enrolled in Southeast Missouri where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in May of 1974, and then lived in St Louis where he sold insurance. In 1986, he returned to the Charleston area and was employed as a truck driver until his retirement. He attended the First Baptist Church in Charleston and was a member of the Charleston VFW Post #4294. He was an avid reader and a loving caregiver of animals.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Terry Davidson and one sister, Christy Davidson.

Surviving is his daughter, Jennifer (Burlin) Brower of Kevil, Kentucky; his sister in law, Pam Davidson of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren, Ellie, Brant and Alexa; and a number of friends.


Private Graveside rites will be held in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Clarkton, MO. Missouri Honor Guard will conduct Military Graveside Rites and interment will follow under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

A Celebration of his life will be held at the Charleston VFW from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., on Friday, July 14, 2017.

Memorials may be made to Charleston VFW, 500 Helena Street, Charleston, MO 63834; the Clara Drinkwater Newnam Library, PO Box 160, Charleston, MO 63834; or to a Humane Society of your choice.