Robert Earl Davidson

On January 31, 2025, Robert Earl Davidson, left this earth to be with Jesus. He was 95 years old.

Bob’s life was marked by a deep and abiding love of the Lord, which propelled him through life and took him around the world. His warmth, natural charisma, playful spirit, and love for adventure drew people to him, but it was the Spirit of God working through him that left them changed. The impact of his life and ministry is vast and widespread.

Bob was born in Port Arthur, Texas on August 22, 1929. His was a happy childhood filled with playing domino games, exploring the southeast Texas countryside, camping at Village Creek State Park and a lot of football. It was also in these early years that Bob fell in love with the church. His family never missed a worship service, a record that continued long after he left home and started his own family.

After graduating from Port Arthur Jefferson High School, Bob enrolled at Texas A&M University where he was captain of the freshman football team. Knowing his life calling was ministry, he transferred to Abilene Christian University. At ACU, he played on the Wildcats’ undefeated 1950 football team, culminating with a victory in the Refrigerator Bowl. Upon graduating, Bob accepted a preaching job at a church in New Jersey. Before beginning his job, however, he spent the summer as a counselor at nearby Camp Shilo. It was there that he got to know Myrt Kelly, another camp counselor and student at ACU. After a whirlwind summer romance, they began exchanging letters; culminating in a letter he wrote proposing marriage. She said yes, and the two were married on December 23, 1952.

Bob and Myrt led a life of adventure as they followed God’s call on their lives. In 1954, they moved to College Station where Bob served as College Minister for the A&M Church of Christ. Their growing family moved to Los Angeles in 1958 where Bob took a job as Dean of Students at Pepperdine University. During their time at Pepperdine, they invited a visiting missionary over for cherry pie, and before the night was over, they had committed to moving to Thailand, where they ultimately served as missionaries for 7 years.

After returning to College Station in 1970, Bob again served as Campus Minister at the A&M Church of Christ, a role he would hold for the next 30 years. Aggies For Christ flourished under his leadership. It was in this program that students from across Texas, the country, and world learned what it meant to know and follow Christ. His philosophy of leadership gave students opportunities to uncover and exercise their gifting, study and love the Word of God in their lives, and live out their faith.

Early in this ministry, Bob was traveling with a group of 12 Aggies who had planned a multi-state trip to visit churches. Their plans abruptly changed when the bus broke down in Morrilton, Arkansas. A nearby children’s home offered to house and feed them for the week while mechanics replaced the bus engine. Seeing the abundant needs of their hosts, they decided to spend the week doing work projects, encouraging the house parents, and playing with the kids. This event birthed a ministry characteristic of “selfless” service” that has continued in Aggies For Christ even today. As Bob and Myrt modeled this life of service, the students gladly followed. It was commonplace for students to spend a week of their winter breaks playing with kids at children’s homes across the region, their weekends doing service projects at churches across the state, and summers sharing the love of Christ throughout the world. Bob felt great joy and fatherly pride knowing so many church leaders, teachers, and missionaries across the world found their calling and were equipped for a life of loving service during their time in Aggies For Christ.

Bob was known for his fun-loving nature. Everything was just better with Bob around. He was famous for his wild stories that captured your attention until the very end and left you on the floor laughing. He was a domino savant; it seemed he always knew what you had in your hand.

It was common for him to start each game stating, “Now this is where friendship ceases.” Of course, the friendship continued, but true to his competitive nature, he showed no mercy. One of his favorite things to do was play straight dominoes with his grandchildren and later great-grandchildren, rewarding them $5 if they could beat him. They rarely did. Bob loved to play handball, and even into his old age, could beat his young grandsons in a match. He could often be seen around town driving his motorcycle, and frequently made cross-country trips on his Kawasaki or Harley Davidson with Myrt sitting behind him, holding on for hours on end. It “fired him up” to watch the Texas Aggies play, but watching any game in which his children or grandchildren were coaching, refereeing, or playing gave him indescribable joy. One of his many famous sayings was, “You gotta be tough, flexible, and optimistic.” There is no greater embodiment of these characteristics than Bob Davidson.

But perhaps the most important legacy he has left us is the way he loved other people. As a man deeply committed to following Christ, his love was simply an outpouring of his faith. As someone known for his toughness, there was a tenderness that was infused in all his interactions. As Myrt’s mind and body failed her, he was her devoted caregiver and constant companion. He had a way of making everyone he spoke to feel known, encouraged, and cared for. The impact of his life spans generations and reaches across the world. He is truly beloved by all who knew him.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Allie Sikes Davidson and Albert Davidson, his brother Charlie Davidson and sister Betty Davidson Ayers, and his beloved wife of 64 years, Myrt Kelly Davidson. He is survived by his sister, Mildred Davidson Bates, son Kelly Davidson and his wife Sara, daughter Ruth Rickaway and her husband Ray, son Kenny Davidson and his wife Susan, daughter Debby Napoli and her husband Pete, and daughter Sarah Davidson and her wife Karen. He was so proud of each of his grandchildren John Mark Davidson, Jonathon Klippel, Lisa Hooten, Bryan Davidson, Kristee Walker, Kalee Davidson, Julie Campbell, Brandon Strain, Calvin Strain, Luke Strain, Barrett Davidson and Marshall Strain. He has left a tremendous legacy to his 26 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on March 1 at the A&M Church of Christ in College Station. Special thanks to Hospice Brazos Valley and to Carolyn Lott for the loving care Bob received during the final chapter of his life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to either of the following.

Bob & Myrt Living Legacy Fund - Aggies For Christ

A&M Church of Christ

2475 Earl Rudder Freeway S.

College Station, TX 77845

Bob & Myrt Davidson Lineman Endowment - Abilene Christian University

ACU Box 29132

Abilene, TX 79699

Express condolences with the family at www.CallawayJones.com.