Dr. Roy Grady Davidson Jr.

Dr. Roy G. Davidson, Jr., age 90, of Vestavia Hills, AL passed away on May 16, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty T. Davidson; children; Denise Willett (Ken), Dr. Jennifer Davis (Jim), Freddy Davidson and Cecilia Davidson-Farkas (David); grandchildren; Dr. Melissa Nix (Chris), Melanie Seibold, Beth Davis (Eike Bierwirth), Katie Davis, Allison Davidson, Jake Davidson, Priscilla Davidson, and Isabella Farkas. He is also survived by his sisters; Sarah Richwine, Betty Sue King and Sandra Daniels.

Dr. Davidson grew up in the Eastlake neighborhood of Birmingham, AL and graduated from Woodlawn High School. Roy believed that he could do anything he set his mind, and proved this by teaching himself tennis and winning a state championship his senior year at Woodlawn. After World War II began, he enlisted in the service and achieved rank of First Lieutenant, became a member of the 94th Bomb group, 333rd squadron, 8th Air Force and became a pilot. On Black Thursday, October 14, 1943, he was shot down while flying a B-17 during the raid. After a crash landing, he was in the French underground for three months until his capture during an attempted escape to England. He was held as a POW and sent to Stalag Luft III in April 1944, and then Mooseburg until the liberation by General Patton and his army. Upon return, he received a Purple Heart for his service.

After the war he returned to Birmingham and married Betty Travis in 1945. He attended Howard College, and graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry in 1950. Upon graduation he returned to Birmingham and started his general dentistry practice in Homewood. He worked for 47 years and the practice remains open today, run by his daughter Jennifer Davis and granddaughter Melissa Nix.

Dr. Davidson’s professional and personal activities included: past president of the Alabama Dental Association and the Birmingham District Dental Society, former member of the Shades Valley Rotary Club, Charter Member of the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow and an active member of Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church and Trinity Sunday School Class. He was also a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, Fellow of the International College of Dentists, Fellow of the American College of Dentists, a member of the Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society, and a local POW group. Dr. Davidson recently had the privilege of taking the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

He was a devoted husband, brother, father, and grandfather and enjoyed his time with his family during birthdays, meals and holidays. He was proud of his family, profession and country, and truly had a passion for serving and helping others. He never missed an opportunity to laugh with anyone around him and never spoke an unkind word about anyone. He will be missed by all those that knew and loved him.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Irene Ramsay and Reba Shaneyfelt, who helped care for Roy and his wife Betty like their own family over the last three years. Also a special thanks to Maliria and Qui Ana for their help and care.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 on Friday, May 18, at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends starting at 12:30 also at the Church. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to The American Diabetes Association or “Rotary Foundation” at One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201.