Steven Ray Davidson (1956–2024)

Steven Ray Davidson, 67, passed away in Oakland Hospital on January 25, 2024 surrounded by the loving support of his family. He was known for his uplifting and fun sense of humor, his intelligence, his gentle, supportive heart, and was much loved by everyone who knew him.

Steven was born in Manhattan, Kansas in 1956 to Cecil Davidson and Florann Ruby, who provided many inspiring early childhood memories through homes in new states (as dad was promoted) vacation travel to most US states, family car trips, camping trips, scouting, and always sports. Steve was a natural athlete and enjoyed baseball as a pitcher, and football, and was ever loyal to the Giants, the 49ers and A's. Steve attended Ralston Jr. High, and Carlmont High School before studying Psychology at San Jose, and working as Store Manager for: Hastings Inc., Union Square, Alfred Dunhill of London Union Square, Saint Croix, San Francisco, Joseph A. Bank, Lafayette and others. Steve was well known for his salesmanship, his management style, and his fashion sense, but more for his ability to connect with people, his customers, his employees, his coworkers, and he made many loyal friends. Steve took the time and interest to see them, remember them, and hold them dear in his life and his conversations. He converted his business model from Business to Customer, to Human to Human, and was incredibly successful, well loved, and well known for his incredible memory, his interest, his intelligence, his humor, and his special brand of attention. He will be much missed by many beyond his family and close friends.

-::-

Steven’s mother, Florann, said simply that "he was a very special, compassionate, loving and well-loved man. People gravitated to him and it was a privilege to be his mom. I will miss him more than I can say."

-::-

Steven’s daughter, Nichole has many memories involving playing records and discovering different kinds of music and a shared love of books and poetry, road trips to the beach and museums. “I remember one evening when I was 5 or 6, my dad woke me up in the middle of the night and took a drive to the airport to watch the stars in the sky and the planes taking off on the tarmac just before the sun came up. We had breakfast inside the airport and drove home. Later, flying home into Oakland as an adult, my Dad would pick me up and have our favorite Thai food waiting and we would sit on the hood of the car and eat and watch the planes land and take off over us. There was always an adventure to be had in some of the most mundane moments. Those moments will be missed greatly.

Dad treasured his grandkids and loved being their “Grandpa”. They were all so fascinated with his beard and as babies would always reach out to touch it lovingly and giggle at the sensation. He lovingly read to his grandchildren and met us at the park to play when we could and he also shared his love of music and poetry with them.

-::-

STEVE, I keep trying to write this ABOUT you, but, keep writing TO you my Dearest (Most Favorite) Brother. I can't help it. I miss you so much. But I will also include a few insiders only we understand to cheer your soul.

You inspire me. You’re great. Everything about you. And greatness is a silent trait, as funny as you are, and smart, and kind, and generous, and handsome, and talented, and all the things that you are, it isn’t something you have to tell people about, it’s just something we witness in you. It is effortless to see, and it’s pure joy. Your greatness is the purest form of beauty, it’s so soft, and when you’re next to it, you just want to stare at it, and feel the warmth, and the safety, and the goodness that is you. You inspire me.

STOP

stay still

breathe a breath

and another

eyes opening

feet running

primary colors

simple outlines

trace them back

begin from there.

I love you forever,

B.(ig)S.(ister)

I wrote this for you and then slept like a baby (you know... cried all night, woke up everybody in the house.)

Here are the last two pieces of music you shared with me a few days ago. You liked it, you said, because the conductor was very kind and generous to his players, by acknowledging them all individually, and in proper order. I loved that you loved his acknowledgement and inclusion! And the Bolario performance blew both of our minds!!

https://youtu.be/cmNEvSFWftc?…

You said, “This is one of the best performances of bolero I've ever heard!!! I love the reeds, especially the double reeds with their flatted fifths. This rendition showcased them well.”

https://youtu.be/Tmm8fP1-_ww?…

You said, “Love the conductor! The conductor congratulated the first violin, the first trumpet, and the others in order of etiquette. First violin is always first. Sometimes it stops there. That's why I love this conductor, he involves everybody over time!”

I’d like to end this note to you with an Aboriginal Australian Proverb. This is what it says.

We are all visitors to this time, this place.

We are just passing through.

Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love, to heal ….

And then, we return home.

I’ll eventually let you know about the game Sunday - in case you’re busy that day. I already have several other things to tell you, I imagine my list will be long. I’m so grateful to you Steve for so many things, and so proud of you for the man you are.

I love you forever.

-::-

Steven was a wonderful Uncle too! Angela, his niece, remembers that “Steven always provided opportunities for joy and delight, as a little girl he would take me to parks and zoos, and encouraged me to travel and then complete my college education. He admonished me about questionable decisions when I was older (in the best, avuncular way). But always, he would try to remind me of the magic all around, available in every moment. He would send emails or tell stories about so many of the characters he would meet or see from his “30 foot window on the world” as he used to call it when he managed the St. Croix store on Market Street. He delighted so many people, and remembered most everyone, and would surprise them with his memories of them when they’d return. It’s a gift to hold the stories of others, and give them back over time. Magic, really. In one of the many letters he wrote to me over the years, he shared one of his own favorite memories, and it so perfectly captures his penchant for seeking delight and joy, I thought I should share it here”:

One of my fondest memories was, a lime snow cone at a little neighborhood park in South Dakota, in one of those oppressive, yet sublime Midwest summers. It was a very laborious task of piercing the box of ice with steel, but, once in the scoop, it seemed so yielding. They put the rather plain ice in a paper cone, and then flooded it with the most incredible, glorious, color of green I had ever seen.

The color alone, quenched my thirst, so cooling and pure. No worries. No worries. And, glee. I catch a flash of that color every now and again, and life is good.

I’ll miss him greatly. And am so grateful for all he gave.

-::-

Steve was such a bright light, and will always be remembered for his kindness, his humor, his intelligence, his patient loving way, his lighthearted touch even in the hardest times, his grace under fire, his ability to connect and reconnect, and his generosity, always putting others first. We couldn’t have asked for a better Brother! Father! Son! Uncle! Cousin! Friend!, and will miss Steve every day! His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who had the pleasure of knowing him and loving him.

Steve was preceded in death by his father Cecil Ray Davidson, his step-mother Lillian Davidson, his brother-in-law George Talbot, his step-father Don Ruby, and is survived by his daughter Nichole Davidson - Silva, his son-in-law Leroy Silva, his three grandchildren, his mother Florann Ruby, his sister Denise West, his niece Angela Sebastiana, and many precious cousins, family and step-family.

To plant a redwood tree (which he loved!) in his memory, please visit: Plant A Redwood

https://www.rffi.org/plant-a-…

Please sign the guest book with your favorite memories (and photos!) of Steven. Our family would love to read them.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/steven-davidson/obituary/

Copy