Joe Leslie Davidson, age 65, was born in Stratton, Colorado on January 29, 1947 to Betty (Crawford) and Cecil Davidson. He died at the Morton County Hospital in Elkhart, Kansas on December 29, 2012.

Joe lived in Colorado until fourth grade when his parents moved to Richfield. He attended schools in Richfield and later Rolla. After graduation, he enrolled at the Liberal Vo-Tech School and completed a study in Diesel Mechanics. After graduation in Liberal, he worked for Morton County Road Department until 1976, when he was hired on at C.I.G. (Colorado Interstate Gas). In 2001, he retired from CIG and immediately went to work for a second time at the Morton County Road Department where he worked until his death. Besides being a devoted and loving husband and father, he was passionate about his community. He served on the school board for over 20 years, volunteered as a fireman for more than 40 years, and was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Elkhart.

On December 22, 1981 Joe married Claudine Allen in Elkhart, Kansas, she survives. Their four children are Summer Stewart, Tiffany Davidson, Jeff Davidson, and Carrie Jo Davidson, all of Elkhart. Other survivors include his brother, Jim Davidson of Mustang, Oklahoma.

Joe is preceded in death by his younger brothers, Greg and Phillip; sister, Kathy; and his parents.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the Morton County Civic Center in Elkhart, Kansas. Interment will be at the Richfield Cemetery in Richfield, Kansas. Friends may call Tuesday, January 1, 2013 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. The family requests memorials be given in lieu of flowers to the donor’s choice or the Carrie Jo Davidson KSU Veterinary Education Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.