Forrest Franklin "Trees" Davidson, 98, Minot, formerly of Surrey, died Monday, October 27, 2008 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Forrest "Trees" Davidson was born in Minot, ND on May 10, 1910, to Harry and Anna (Thoreson) Davidson. At age three, the family moved from Minot to Surrey, where he graduated valedictorian from high school in 1929. After high school, Forrest received a scholarship to Concordia College.

Forrest traveled extensively on the West Coast. Before he went out West, he worked at Burlington Northern Railway. He worked at odd jobs, one of which was Safeway Foods. Out west, he was once offered to be a stunt man for Henry Fonda. In the late 1930's, Forrest returned to North Dakota, working at the following places: International Harvester, La Plaza Café, City Bakery, and as a production foreman at Sweetheart Bakery, and also as a foreman for Bridgeman Creamery, where he retired in 1971. Upon retiring from the creamery in July of 1972, Forrest traveled to Alaska, to visit his son, Gary and Family.

He was once married to Caroline Fiat. He later married Marie Rutz in 1945, and their children Carol and Gary were born. They later parted. Marie died in 1988. He had resided at Trinity Nursing home since February, 2005, where the family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff there.

Mr. Davidson was a member of First Assembly of God, Minot, and also a member of the local Teamsters Union. He enjoyed writing poetry as a young man, and his other loves were: fishing, walking, reading, and having coffee with his buddies at the Midwest Federal Shirley Room. Forrest was a very humble man, who also lovingly took care of his mother-in-law, Mary, for thirty-five years.

Surviving family includes: Daughter, Carol (Pete) Klayson, Burlington, ND; Son, Gary (Ruth) Davidson, Sun City, AZ; Step-daughters, Jane Suckert, Surprise, AZ, Betty Lane, Spokane, WA; Grandchildren, Charlene (John) Kroshus, Wahpeton,ND, Elwin(Shellie) Klayson, Minot, ND, Matthew Davidson, California, Bethany (John) Krafles, Hutchinson, KS; Nine Great-grandchildren; Brother, Elmer (Louise) Davidson, Everett, WA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Forrest was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Roy Davidson, and Sister, Alice Potter.

Funeral: Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at in Trinity Nursing Home Chapel, Minot;
Interment: Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Surrey, ND;
Visitation: Friday, October 31, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home of Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Paralyzed Veterans of America, at 7 Mill Brook Road, Wilton, NH 03086