Duval Adam Davidson Jr.

Duval Adam (Dave) Davidson, Jr. was born in Cuero, Texas, on July 31, 1916; he was first born of Duval A. Davidson, Sr. and Mary Louise Traylor Davidson, who were ranching near Carancahua Bay on the Texas Gulf Coast. Soon afterward, his father began work with the federal government and the family was frequently transferred. Dave began school in New Braunfels, later attended school in Pearsall, and graduated high school in Livingston, TX. He graduated Texas A&M University in 1939, with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering and was assigned as second Lieutenant in the U.S Army Reserves. Meanwhile he began work for BP-Amoco.

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Davidson was called into service on January 31, 1942. By then, he and his childhood sweetheart, Verna Foster, had married and had one daughter, Mary Ann. He took bombardier training at Midland Army Air Field, and was assigned to Tucson, AZ to join a flight crew. His crew went through additional flight training in Blythe, CA, and was then assigned to the South Pacific Theater via Honolulu, Christmas Island, Fiji Islands, Brisbane, Australia, and finally Townsville, Australia, where they left the “fly-away ship” for Port Moresby, New Guinea. They were assigned to fly B-24 bombers in the 90th Bomb Group, H-320th squadron, the famed Jolly Rogers. His crew remained with the 320th squadron through Buna Beach, Nadzab, New Guinea, Wadki Island, Biak Island, and on to Mindanao Island, Philippines, where Capt. Davidson arrived in charge of the advanced echelon in December 1944. By then he had flown 60 combat missions and was awarded an air medal, two oak leaf clusters, and various South Pacific Theater medals. His younger brother, pilot of a B-17 flying from England over the North Sea, was shot down in February 1944, leaving Davidson as sole provider for three families. In January 1945, Davidson was rotated to the U.S., arriving home in March 1945, and receiving reassignment to the China-Burma-India Theater. He was mustered out of the military in June 1945, and returned to work for BP-Amoco in August 1945. In May of 1946, with the birth of William (Bill) Foster Davidson, the family became four.

Wherever they lived, Davidson and his family were active in the community and Methodist Church. In Raymondville, Dave was raised to a third degree Mason. In Houston, he participated at Bethany Methodist with the Methodist Men who were making bricks for the original chapel of that church. In Henderson, Dave was involved with the Methodist Church and the Lion’s Club. In Monahans he was on the Board of the Methodist Church, on the Monahans General Hospital Board, and a member of the Rotary Club. In Odessa he sat on the MRMH Board, Odessa MCH Board, Odessa Chamber of Commerce, West Texas International Oil Show Board, a member of Asbury Methodist Church for 44 years, and a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was an avid golfer and a long time member of Odessa County Club. Whenever he found “spare time”, Dave pursued his love of fishing, hunting, or golfing. Additionally, Dave was one of two remaining members of his WWII flight crew.

Dave retired from BP-Amoco on July 1, 1976. From that point he and Verna began to travel extensively throughout the U.S., as well as to Europe, Egypt, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, and the Caribbean Islands. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2000, several weeks before Verna’s death.

On June 26, 2001, Dave Davidson and Mary Kathryn Keathley were married. Dave soon found himself accepted into the loving circle of Mary’s family, including Donna Blalack, Gary A. Keathley (Barbara), and Carla Weathersby, all of Odessa, as well as grandchildren, Mason Blalack, Gary L. Keathley (Leslie) and Christy Thompson and six great-grandchildren. As a family, they celebrated birthdays, weddings and holidays together. Dave and Mary also enjoyed their travels around the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean Islands, as well as to numerous local golf tournaments.

Dave is survived by his wife Mary and her family; his daughter Mary Ann Andrews of Santa Fe, NM; son Bill Davidson (Bonnie) of Seattle, WA, grandchildren Martin Davidson of Seattle, Gretchen Andrews (Roger) of Nelson, BC, Bill Davidson and Sonja Davidson Robey of Seattle, as well as six great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend our gratitude to all the friends who have so generously given their support and kindness during this time. Special thanks go to the Home Hospice team of nurses, doctor, chaplains, and others who have offered their caring attention and service to Dave and his family. We appreciate you and all you have done.

Family visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Home in Odessa. A celebration of Dave’s life will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Odessa at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 19, 2015. Burial will be Monday, September 21 at 10:00 am at Memory Gardens of Edna, TX.

Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.