John B. Davidson

John is perhaps best known as the founder of Davidson Drugs, which he opened in 1958 and operated for 65 years. At one point the retail pharmacy chain had as many as seven locations in Sarasota. His entrepreneurial spirit and community involvement was evident in his many activities over the decades on Siesta Key and in Sarasota. He was an early investor in commercial real estate and enjoyed the time he spent managing his properties. He was also founder and publisher of the Pelican Press, an award winning weekly newspaper, from 1971 – 1998.

John’s interest in his community led him to give his time and talents to numerous organizations from Little League and Boy Scouts to seventeen years as Trustee of the Selby Foundation, president of the Argus Foundation and Sarasota Bay Club, founder and director of Enterprise Bank, director of Selby Gardens, among others. He served as Commodore of The Field Club, where he had been an active member for 65 years. He had a passionate interest in the movement to help Siesta Key become a municipality and was on the Board of Directors of Save Siesta Key.

John’s leadership abilities emerges early on, becoming an Eagle Scout with a Bronze Palm. He grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois, attended Duke University, and received his pharmacy degree from the University of Colorado. He fell in love with Sarasota on a vacation in 1956 and decided to make it his home. He was an avid tennis player and also played golf and competitive croquet. He spent many happy hours sailing Equanimity on Sarasota Bay. John loved working in his gardens and was especially fond of coconut palms, even planting selected coconuts to cultivate the next generation. His lifelong fascination with maps led to his fine collection of antique maps of Florida and beyond. His love of photography took him to exotic locations all over the world, capturing images of wildlife and nature, from polar bears in Hudson Bay, Canada, and penguins in Antarctica, to thrilling encounters with elephants and all the Big Five in Africa. He dearly loved spending time at his summer home in the mountains of North Carolina and enjoying his many friends at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Visits from the children and grandchildren were always the highlight of the summer.

His greatest love was his family and he was able to enjoy 43 years with his wife, Rita, surrounded by his six children and their spouses, twelve grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. It seems there was always a party going on at their beach house in The Sanderling Club, and he enjoyed being in the middle of it all. He was known for his warmth and generosity, his friendly nature, his work ethic, and his wonderful smile. He shared a keen interest in sports with the whole family, and closely followed the Gators, Rays, Lightening, and Buccaneers.

John is survived by his devoted wife, Rita (Gartland) Davidson; sons, Jib (Teresa), Richard (Angela), Robert, John Jr. (Tiffany); daughters, Suzanne Munroe (Rick), and Brooke Davidson; grandsons, Travis Davidson, Tyler Davidson, Max Munroe, Ryan Davidson, Andrew Davidson, Michael Davidson, John Davidson III, and Charles Davidson; granddaughters Ashley Munroe, Madison Davidson, Elizabeth Davidson, and Katherine Davidson; and one great-granddaughter, Aurelia Davidson. He is also survived by his beloved nieces, Susan Scullin, Ann Curry, and Erika Puylara; and nephew James Davidson; brother-in-law, Henry Gartland; and his much loved dog, Harley.

He was predeceased by his father, Preston L. Davidson; mother, Alma Mary Fuller; brother, Donald E. Davidson; and great-granddaughter, Emilia Eve Davidson.

A private graveside service was held at Palms Memorial Park. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on February 27. 2:00-4:00pm at The Field Club for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation Tidewell Hospice Foundation.

The family is forever grateful for the wonderful care he received at Bay Village of Sarasota in his final months, and for the care and support of Tidewell Hospice.