Rodney Paul Davidson

May you fish the streams of Heaven and embrace the joy of peace!

Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather Rodney Paul Davidson passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Sept. 5, 2024, at the age of 83. Dad battled major medical issues for the past few years, but did so with a smile and a bad joke for anyone who was around!

Rod was born on March 23, 1941, to Robert and Tena Davidson in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. His family later moved to Billings and Rod married the “girl next door,” Patricia Lynn Overgaard. Patsy cared for Rod with fierce determination until the end. They would be married 62 years on Sept. 8.

Rod was a very successful marketing man in the Billings community with a long career at the Billings Gazette as their promotion manager. Throughout his career, Rod developed wonderful programs, such as “Trash for Trees”; he planned and executed the Centennial Celebration for the Billings Gazette; he created the Chuckwagon, the “original” food truck in Billings that was seen at community events serving breakfast or hotdogs! Rod also planned a campaign for Montana grain price awareness that received national attention in Time Magazine. Dad’s most proud accomplishment was his endless work promoting literacy for children. Through his position with Restaurant Management Company, books were collected at local Pizza Huts and donated to Yellowstone Head Start. He was honored by the Federal Head Start Program in 1997 in Boston.

Rod himself was an avid reader, a particular favorite being author Ivan Doig, as well as an opera lover thanks to his Aunt Margaret. He passed these passions on to his daughters and grandkids over the years. His favorite gift to give was a carefully selected book. Rod was so proud of his daughters and their children. The joy that the great-grandchildren brought to Rod and Pat’s life in later years was priceless. There were so many things that Rod enjoyed in life: weekend trips to his brothers cabin along with his sister and spouses, fishing from the boat on Holter Lake, friend camping trips at Yellowstone Lake, gardening, bird watching, and building beautiful pine cone wreaths that are found as far as Norway! Rod was an incredibly generous soul. If he had it, he would give it. Dad always joked that when his time arrived, he wanted it to be said “ God knows I tried!” We all know that God has answered back: “Well done, son, well done.”

Rod is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Tena; and his son-in-law, Steven Schreiner. Rod is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughters, Tricia Schreiner, Tamra Svenningsen (Bjorn), Tracy Davidson, Tiff Blades (John); brother David (Pam); sister Theone (Carwin); his grandsons, Andy (Nicole), Chad (Kelsea), Jacob (Amber) and Ben (Marissa), Christian (Kaisa) and Alexander Svenningsen. G-Rod will be greatly missed by 11 great-grandchildren! Rod also adopted countless wonderful people along his journey, too many to count but all were loved dearly.

A special “thank you” to the loving caregivers that helped us all, especially Lisa Herron. You were Dad’s angel!

Family and friends are invited to join us at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in the Great Room of Prescott Hall at Rocky Mountain College, 1511 Poly Drive.

Donations can be made in Rod’s honor to the Montana Audubon Center in Billings or a children’s literacy program of your choice.