Vigen Memorial Home obituary - Oscar Edward Davids, 89, Keokuk

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Oscar Edward Davids, 89 of Keokuk, IA went to meet his Lord Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

Born to Marion and Inez Davids November 7, 1929 in Putnam County, MO. He was the 4th child of seven.

Oscar imagined himself to be a farmer, like his father, but Marion had a different plan for his son and offered to pay for one semester of college to become a teacher.

DAVIDS

Oscar found his true calling and attended Northeastern Teachers College (now Truman State) in Kirksville, MO. He began his teaching career at the seasoned age of eighteen in rural schools around Appanoose County, IA.

Oscar married Nadean (Webber) on September 23, 1951 in Unionville, MO.

He was drafted and served in the US Army Signal Corps 1954 to 1956. When he was drafted his two younger brothers enlisted and they all served together. Oscar’s family was musical and he and his brothers performed as a country western trio during their deployment. Because of their talent and popularity with the troops they were reassigned and performed all over Germany during their service years.

Upon his return from service, Oscar re-enrolled in college and completed his Bachelors and Masters in Education.

In 1954, Oscar and Nadean welcomed their first son, Richard Alan Davids.

In 1958 he moved his family to Keokuk, IA and began his career for Keokuk Public Schools as an elementary classroom teacher. After two years he became Principal of Wells Carey School and later became Principal of Lincoln, Washington Central and Hawthorne School as well as rising to become coordinator of elementary education and administrative assistant. He retired in 1992.

In 1961 they were blessed with their second son, Sheldon Craig Davids.

Oscar was a charter member of New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk. He served as an Elder and Sunday school teacher for forty-nine years. He and Nadean were very active members of this congregation right up until his passing.

Oscar’s greatest joys in life were his wife, his two children, his five grandchildren, his six great-grandchildren and serving the Lord.

We will all miss him, but are far better having known him, and will be forever changed by his life.

He is survived by his wife, of sixty-seven years, Nadean (Webber) Davids, his two children, Richard and Babetta (Goeke) Davids and Sheldon and Connie (Brown) Davids, his five grandchildren, Nicholas and Lindsey (Wallace) Davids, Matthew and Samantha (Friedman) Davids, Noelle (Davids) and Matthew Tice, Danielle (Davids) and David Ruelle and Sara Davids, six great-grandchildren, Michael and Alexander Davids (Nick), Hudson Davids (Matt), Landon and Levi Tice (Noelle), Wyatt Oscar Ruelle (Danielle), one brother, Jesse Davids and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Earnest Davids and John Davids, three sisters, Mildred Heminover, Margaret Thomasson and Lois Smith.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday at the New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk with Pastor Derek Olsen officiating.

Visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service from 1-3 p.m., Wednesday at the church.

Burial with military rites will be at 11 a.m., Thursday in the Unionville Cemetery in Unionville, MO.

Memorials may be made to New Testament Christian Church.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com

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