Grand Frederick Davolt
Grand Frederick “Fred” Davolt Long time Missouri resident, born September 7, 1913 in Ethel, Missouri, died on Monday, October 5, 2009 in Great Falls, Montana, where he had lived since 2004. Fred was named by his parents, Claude Lesley Davolt and Mabel Evelyn Lewis Davolt after the Grand River in North Missouri. He was 96 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Carl, Ervin, Russell, Orla, Virgil and Hildra; and in 1996, his wife of sixty years, Alliene. He is survived by a brother, Raymond of Independence, Missouri; a sister, Evelyn Sergent of Columbia, Missouri; a daughter, Judy Beam and husband David of Austin, Texas., a daughter, Carol Spurgeon and husband Don of Great Falls Montana; five grandsons and families, Larry and Trendy Beam of Duncan, Oklahoma, Gary and Terry Beam of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Greg and Alison Beam of San Antonio, Texas, Jeff and Tricia Spurgeon of Sherwood, Oregon and Jason Grant Spurgeon of San Diego, California; eleven great-grandchildren, Lauren Mitsuhashi, Kaitlin Isley, Katy, Meghan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Angela and Matthew Beam, Jacob, Joshua, and Justin Spurgeon; many special nieces, nephews and friends. As a young man, Fred moved with his family from North Missouri to Strafford, Missouri in 1926 and graduated from Strafford High School in 1933. He worked for Mr. Abe Boland and for a time was a migrant farm worker in California before returning to Strafford where he met and married Rosie Alliene Clouse in 1936. He began his working career as a custodian at Strafford High School from 1936 to 1946. He was a construction laborer on several well-known area locations including the diesel shop for Frisco railroad, the James River Bridge and the footings for the water tower on South Glenstone in Springfield, Missouri. In 1952, Fred was employed by the Springfield Public Schools as a relief custodian and was later promoted to Building Coordinator for the district. He retired in 1979 after 27 years with the school system. He supervised 150 men and at retirement coordinated work in 34 schools and three high schools. He loved and respected the men he worked with and is still honored among them. After retirement, he was employed by Easterly Auctioneers. He played basketball in high school. He loved the Saint Louis Cardinals. He advised others to “be honest, love the Lord, and honor those who work for you.” He was optimistic and a lover of people. He expected responses and smiles to his friendliness. His opinions were from the truest sense of his heart. He played the harmonica, sang in the choir, and was a great gardener. He was a careful steward of even the smallest possession. He was extremely proud of each of his family members, absolutely loved to eat and minimized his illnesses. During retirement years he and his wife Alliene enjoyed many trips to Branson and walked regularly at the North Town mall. The trips for breakfast to nearby towns highlighted happy friendships and retirement. He was a long time member of both Strafford Baptist Church, where he taught boys in Sunday school and served as deacon, and at National Heights Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri. Visitation is Sunday, October 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. with a funeral service at Greenlawn North on Monday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Greenlawn North, Springfield, Mo. Memorial gifts in his memory are suggested to the donor’s choice.