Dr. Charles Warren Davidson

Charles Warren Davidson MD of Avondale Estates, Georgia, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, after courageously battling cancer for over 3 years. He passed peacefully at home with his family at his side.
He was born on July 3, 1927 in Lithonia, GA to John Keay Davidson, Jr., and Laura Elizabeth Lovingood Davidson. He attended Lithonia High School, where he competed on the basketball team, along with several of his brothers and cousins. His early college education at Emory at Oxford was interrupted when he volunteered for the U.S. Navy 2 days after turning 18, on July 5, 1945.
He attended boot camp at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, Maryland and then completed his training there at the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School. He continued his 2 years of service as a Naval Corpsman by caring for the U.S. Marine Corps at the U.S. Naval Hospital on Paris Island, S.C. He was honorably discharged in 1947 at the rank of Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class. He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal for World War II, as well as a Character of Service ranking of Excellent.
He finished college at Emory University and then attended Emory University School of Medicine, graduating in 1952. He completed his internship at Grady Memorial Hospital and then completed 3 years of Internal Medicine specialty training, one year each at the Atlanta VA Hospital, the Boston VA Hospital, and Emory Hospital. He was always especially thankful to have trained under Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Paul Beeson at Grady and under Nephrologist Dr. Maurice Strauss at the Boston VA.
As a teenager, he attended the United Methodist Church’s Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, GA, where he first met Joan Routso of College Park, GA. He was to see her again a few years later, because she was his sister’s roommate at Wesleyan College. The two were married on December 21, 1950 and settled into their home in Avondale Estates.
Upon completion of his specialty training, Dr. Davidson began the practice of Internal Medicine in Decatur, GA. He was on the original medical staff of DeKalb General Hospital when its cornerstone was laid in 1961, and practiced medicine for 51 years, retiring in 2007.
He always demonstrated great enjoyment of, and devotion to, his wife, even more so as she was going through treatment for leukemia. He felt deeply bereft when he became a widower in early 2004.
However, in retirement, he was able to enjoy even more so his hobbies of hiking, birdwatching, wildflower photography, attending the symphony and the opera, visiting fine arts museums and reading. He remained an active member of the Terrific Tuesday Adventurers hiking club and appreciated the company of his many friends, even throughout most of his cancer treatment.
He is survived by daughter Laura Davidson (Pete Nicolatos) of Tucker, GA, son Bruce (Debbie) Davidson of Hokkaido, Japan, son Mark Davidson of Santa Rosa, CA, brother Dean (Marie) Davidson of Viro Beach, FL, brother William (Louise) Davidson of Lithonia, GA, granddaughter Sarah Davidson, and grandsons John Miller and Asher Davidson. He was predeceased by his wife Joan Routso Davidson. He was also predeceased by his sister Elizabeth (Frank) Rice and by his brother John Keay (Bebe) Davidson III. He is also survived by his beloved companion of the last 10 years, Mary Louise MacNeil.
Remembrances may be made in the form desired by friends; contributions may be sent to the Appalachian Trail Club, the Georgia Ornithological Society, or Weinstein Hospice.
Visitation will be held at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home on Friday, August 11th between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home on Saturday, August 12th at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow the service.