L. John Davidson: Little Big Man

You may have read about the passing of L. John Davidson, Quechee Lakes’ founding visionary, in a recent QLLA online newsletter. As his stepdaughter and the publisher of the Quechee Times, I am in the unique position to tell a more personal story about what made John tick and about who he was at his core. Granted, I am writing from childhood memories coupled with the grace of wisdom that comes with having lived many years of life, myself, so this is just one perspective. I have also asked my older stepsister, Mary Davidson Graham, his daughter, to add her tribute (see sidebar). John had six “children”: four daughters (one died at birth), a stepdaughter, and a stepson (my brother). Sadly, Mary and I are the only two alive today, so we are the ones here to share our memories of John and of the outsized impression he made on us and on all who knew him.

John Davidson

You may or may not know this, but John was only 5’2” tall. Despite his short stature, however, he was bigger than life in so many ways. I’m not going to lie, anyone who knew John knew of his intensity. As a child, it was not always easy to understand how he could go from 0-60 over seemingly insignificant things. However, this is where wisdom comes into play. I have observed over the years that those who feel things most intensely have simultaneously an incredible gift and a troubling curse. The reason we have all had the great fortune to enjoy this magical place called Quechee Lakes is because John felt things so intensely and every detail was significant to him. He wanted families to enjoy life fully here, surrounded by the backdrop provided by Mother Nature and combined with the modern amenities that could bring families together in fun. No detail was insignificant to John, because creating this experience for families was sourced from his core being and big heart…and is what drove him to excellence.

As a child and even later as a young adult, I never understood how on earth John found himself immersed in some of the wacky projects he pursued. What about going on a literal treasure hunt for gold deep in the Amazon jungle? Did he find gold? I don’t even know, but the stories he shared were priceless!

Or how about the other treasure hunt where he raised a literal sunken treasure ship…unfortunately no one considered that the silt bottom (vs. a sandy one) allowed the treasure to sink so deep that the bounty could not be retrieved. Oh, well. One cannot place a value on that kind of experience!

He went on to develop other real estate locations, but he really had the outsized drive to immerse himself in globe-changing projects…like securing the patent on pasteurized eggs, for instance! Unfortunately, as with many blessings if taken too far, they become curses. John’s inordinate attention to detail and his drive for perfection often kept him from realizing his greatest successes.

As mentioned, John had a huge and generous heart. To his dying days, whenever we spoke on the phone, he would tell me that he was “this close” to making it big and that he would make sure I would be “set for life.” Even while blind and in his 90s, he never gave up trying.

While the financial security would have been nice, the greatest inheritance I received from this very little big man were the examples he set. First of all, as someone who also feels things intensely, I have learned how not to behave in certain situations. However, what left the biggest impression on me, and has shaped who I am to this day, is how he embodied the importance of having guts and grit. Guts to just go for it – whatever “it” is for one personally, and grit to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles no matter the outcome.

This playground called Quechee Lakes is one of his incredible legacies. That I have the privilege to share who he was at his core with you within these pages speaks to the legacy we all hope to shape – how we will be remembered after we’re gone. This little big man did good!

Reflection on the Early Years

Fathers have a way of putting things together. They can put things in perspective, support you through a new job interview, or give advice whenever you need it. However, this perspective – and the resulting gifts – left me thinking how grateful and lucky I was that he was there and listened. Challenged by the move from Andover, MA, to Hanover, NH, and Quechee, VT, at age 12 with my two younger sisters, I was not sure what was on the horizon. In retrospect, it was a mystery full of excitement, adventure, and loving nature. Experiencing skiing for the first time, we laughed hysterically, watching Dad go straight down the Quechee ski hill with no fear and land halfway across the street to where the clubhouse is now. Driving through the fields as he was envisioning the first condominiums on Hard Road, I always marveled at what could be next with his vision and dreams. Together, we always kept a close watch on any wildlife that would be off at a distance when scouting Quechee and hoped that our intrusion was not interfering with them or hindering their safety. These memories and adventures, along with so many more, keep things in perspective with gratitude and affection.

~ Mary Davidson Graham (John’s daughter)