Andrew E. 'Andy' Davidson, 62

Andrew E. Andy Davidson, 62, passed away at home Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, after a long struggle with multiple myeloma. His parents had both died young, and he considered each passing year a blessing, especially after surviving kidney cancer in 1999. Andy was born Sept. 1, 1947, in Graceville, Minn., the son of Harry B. and Anne Davidson. He lived in Beardsley, Minn., until he was 12, when the family moved to a farm in Boy River, Minn. He served in the U.S. Army in Georgia and in the Army National Guard in Colorado, achieving the rank of sergeant. He first came to the Flathead Valley in 1974 and fell in love with the area. He moved permanently to Montana in the early 1980s. Andy held a variety of jobs, including construction and maintenance, before health problems caught up with him and he went on disability. Andy and Andrea Hull were married Feb. 16, 1991, resulting in a union known to acquaintances as Andy and Andy. Ever since his youth, Andy enjoyed the outdoors. Along with hunting and fishing, he added gold panning and digging for crystals to his interests. He also had a lifetime interest in building cars, some of which were deliberately run off the edge of the gravel pit. His adventures and hobbies, including collecting Hot Wheels, model trains and going to yard sales, led to a gift of storytelling and many good friendships. Andy is survived by his wife, Andrea, at the family home. He also is survived by his brothers, Lester and Sheila, and Glenn and Joyce; sister, Betty; children, Violet and Robert Mulligan, Rollin, Andy Jr. and Ellen, and Tammy and Scott Casey; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. If desired, memorials can be made to Wings Foundation or Home Options Hospice Care. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.