December 22, 2021
When the Davidson family gathers for Christmas this year, each of Ross and Carol’s seven grandkids will line up next to a wooden measuring stick to see how much taller they are than last year.
This family tradition was made possible by the Davidson’s son, Kevin, who crafted the yardstick by hand years ago.
Marking and dating the wood—comparing how much each child has grown—is just one of the ways Kevin’s family will remember their beloved son, big brother and uncle who passed away in 2020.
Kevin, or Trapper, as most people refer to him, was given his nickname from an uncle when he was just a boy.
An avid outdoorsman, Trapper went on his first coyote hunting trip at age two. Hunting remained a passion throughout his life. He traveled to western Nebraska, South Dakota and Arizona in pursuit of deer, antelope, elk, pheasants, wild hogs and other animals.
Being in the outdoors, battling the elements with family and friends was Trapper’s “happy place,” said his sister Kelly.
Trapper also enjoyed the freedom of the open road on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Growing up, Trapper and his siblings rode dirt bikes, go-carts and four wheelers around the makeshift track on their farm near Albion. Later, he competed in racing events in Lincoln and Omaha.
He purchased his first Harley Davidson in his early 20s and joined the Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club.
If he could, Trapper would ride every month of the year, often doubling the miles most Nebraska riders would put on annually.
“He loved to be on that bike,” said Carol, recalling one of Trapper’s trips to Sturgis.
The thousand-mile trip from Lincoln to South Dakota wasn’t enough. Trapper and his riding partner continued their venture into Montana.
