Charles Richard 'Charlie Flowers' Davidson, 56

LEWES - Sadly, Charles Richard "Charlie Flowers" Davidson, of Lewes, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008, in Milford, following a long illness. He was 56.

He was the executive chef for Amtrak and was employed by various national corporations.

Charlie was an avid gardener and homespun horticulturist, whose love in life was flowers, good food and flying kites at the beach.

Born on July 29, 1951, in Montclair, N.J., he was son of the late Mary Drummond Davidson of Amherst, Va., and Benjamin Palmer Davidson of Montclair.

Charlie graduated from Sparta High School in New Jersey in 1969, where he assisted Coach Cassels in sports, and from Rider College in 1973 with a degree in accounting.

He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1977 after serving overseas.

Pursuing a second career, Charlie graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

He provided professional services to Gummersell Properties of Montclair, James Alexander Corp. of Blairstown, N.J., and Lowe's Home Improvement in Lewes.

Charles leaves two sons, James F. Davidson of Red Bank, N.J., and Andrew D. Davidson of San Francisco; and their mother, Margaret Robinson Davidson of Nashville, Tenn.

Charles was predeceased by his stepmother, Joan Wild Davidson; and two uncles, James and Paul Davidson.

He leaves three brothers, Alexander Davidson of Blairstown, N.J., Michael Davidson of Eupora, Miss., and Henry Bannister of San Francisco. In addition he leaves four sisters, Charlotte Davidson of Monticello, N.Y., Jean Bannister of Centerville, Mass., Gail Michaud of Marblehead, Mass., and Louise O'Neil of Hyannis Port, Mass. He is also survived by two aunts, Charlotte Albrecht of Riverside, Conn., and Joanne Davidson of Maplewood, N.J.; and a host of loving nieces and nephews.

A special thank you goes to his brother-in-law, Stephen O'Neil of Hyannis Port, for taking such wonderful care of him during these last two months.

A memorial service will be planned for this summer in Cape Cod. Bring sea shells, flowers, poems and wind chimes for the garden.

Gifts in Charlie's memory can be made to the Disabled American Veterans Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.