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John Wayne Davidson

Posted 2026-02-12 by mhenderson
Published by Mohave Daily News Online from Feb. 4 to Feb. 11, 2026 -
Bullhead City, Arizona -

(1951-2026)

On May 24, 1951 John Wayne Davidson was born in
San Pedro, Ca. He enjoyed growing up in a port city
with its own Fishing FLeet. However, John preferred
Fishing on rivers and lakes, and from the time he was
old enough to cast a Fishing line, going to the Colorado
River to camp and fish was what he loved most.

John was an incredible swimmer, and as a member
of the high school swim team won several state medals.
His butterfly stroke was on par with Mark Spitz's, and
his moustache was even more impressive. While in
school, he started working at the News Pilot/Daily
Breeze. He also met his future wife Laureen Demaria at school. Sharing
classes together at Dana Junior High, they became fast friends. John
married Laureen just 2 years out of high school. It was a wedding
ceremony not to be forgotten. He passed out twice while
at the altar, yet it worked; they were married for 54 years.

In 1973 Kimberly Jo Davidson was born. She was the light of his heart,
and he taught her to fish and to love the River like he did.

In 1977 John's father-in-law started a small company called Demaria
Electric. Just Anthony F. Demaria, John, and his brother-in-law Danny
Demaria. It grew FAST. He was so proud to have been a part of the family
business.

In 1984 on the way home from a trip to the River, John calmly announced
he wanted to move to Bullhead. The next day a "for sale" sign was on our
front lawn in San Pedro. We moved. Without a job. Without a home. We
rented the first house available. A new life had started. A few months
later John announced he was joining Bullhead's volunteer fire
department. His wife Laureen laughed. He explained it would hopefully
lead to a paying position, as the fire district was just then forming in
town. He started permanently in just a year. We instantly had a Bullhead
Family. He received a Fire Science Degree from Mohave Community College
and moved on up the ladder. (Yes that is a pun.)

John helped to build many firefighters' homes, and they helped build
his. Community service was a huge part of being a firefighter. He also
helped with the electrical for two fire stations that were constructed
in Bullhead during this time. In between he would travel to California
to help out Demaria Electric when their work got heavy.

John fought a brave fight against cancer. A lengthy one. Some say it was
because he was so darn stubborn. Others know it was because he loved us
all so much. He leaves his wife Laureen, daughter Kimberly, son-in-law
David, and grandchildren Dalton and Renn. He also leaves his dear
friends Rick & Judy and Kevin & Jenny, as well as a family
of brothers, sisters, and dozens of nieces and nephews that he loved.

We are praying he catches that big bass in heaven.






Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

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