Park Rutan Davidson

Park Rutan Davidson passed away January 22, 2021, surrounded by family after a short illness. He was born in Keosauqua, Iowa on May 14, 1934, to the late William U.B. Davidson and Margaret Bernice Park Davidson. He was a graduate of Fairfield High School, University of Iowa, and University of Iowa School of Law.

After graduation in 1957, Park accepted a job at Burlington Industries in Greensboro. He was on J Spencer Love’s staff in NY and he worked in various divisions before returning to Greensboro. He worked briefly in the Tricot Division and as head of production planning for Burlington Socks before returning to the Treasurer’s area in 1964. In 1971, he became Assistant VP of Finance and head of the Treasurer’s Department. He was the Executive Director of Burlington Foundation and then promoted to Treasurer in 1989. He retired from Burlington in 1996, after 39 years.

Park was proud of creating the first profit sharing plan for wage employees in the Textile Industry in 1963, which was widely copied by other companies. He served as Chairman and Director of the Profit Sharing Council of America, Chairman of the Profit Sharing Research Foundation and Director of the Burlington Employees’ Federal Credit Union which he started in 1979 (Choice FCU now a branch of Self Help). He was a Trustee and President of GTCC Foundation, Trustee of Wesley Long Community Hospital, Director of Fund Board of North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Trustee of the former L. Richardson Hospital and served as an Elder with First Presbyterian Church.

He was co-founder and President of the Greensboro Cerebral Palsy School which was an innovative model for the nation. He served as Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Greensboro Country Club. He also served as Chairman and Director of the Greensboro Housing Foundation which is now Affordable Housing Management.

His love as an outdoor enthusiast took him to Alaska and Oregon for salmon fishing and hunting, New Zealand for hang gliding, Yellowstone Park for snowmobiling, and Colorado for white water rafting. He also loved to travel with Patsy and spent many vacations abroad. They enjoyed hosting his high school friends and others at their Ocean Isle Beach home that included visits to The Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach, fishing trips and delicious southern food. Many memories were made with family and friends at Core Banks Club where he was a member.

Park shared his love of music through singing and playing the trumpet and ukulele. He was in the 34th Army Band and sang in church and other venues throughout his lifetime. He even attended an Ozzy Osborne concert with his grandson. He and Patsy enjoyed plays, musicals, movies and would often take the family to various entertainment performances.

He was raised by two educators and was a self-made man. He will be remembered for his quick wit and humor and for being a great teacher, mentor and friend to many in the community.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Catherine “Patsy” Carson Davidson, his parents and his brother Kent Davidson.

He is survived by his daughters Catherine Cooke (Marty) of Shallotte, NC and Mary Park Rogers (Rex); and son, William (Bill) Davidson. His grandchildren include Katie Cooke Smith (Tyler), MaryLou Cooke, John Cooke, AnnaBelle Cooke, Carson Rogers, Sarah Worth Rogers, Banks Rogers and Ethan Davidson.

Visitation will be February 1 from 1pm to 6pm at Hanes Lineberry N Elm. There will be a graveside service on February 2 at 2pm at Green Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cone Health Heart and Vascular Center, 1200 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401 and First Presbyterian Church, 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.

Online remembrances may be made through www.haneslineberryfhnelm.com.