April 3, 1926 – June 2, 2008
Richard Read (Dick) Davison is in eternity now, having passed from this life early Monday morning, June 2, 2008. Memorial Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Grace Bible Church.
He was born in Marlin Texas on April 3, 1926. He attended Virginia Military Academy for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Army and serving his country in the Second World War. He saw combat in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944/45 and was stationed in Nuremburg during the War Crimes Trials in 1945. In 1946 after his discharge, he returned to Texas where he enrolled at Texas Tech University and received a B.S. in chemical engineering in 1949. After graduation, he worked for Lyon Oil Company in Snyder, Texas, during which time (1951) he married the love of his life, Joy Childs, also from Marlin. In 1955, the couple and their growing family moved to Bryan where he pursued an M.S. (’58) and PhD (’62) in Chemical Engineering at Texas A-M University. He taught at Texas A-M for 45 years before retiring in 2003.
Dick was known as a teacher who did more than teach the content of his courses; his former students speak of him as a mentor and advisor, friend and example of a godly man. He was one of the founding members of Grace Bible Church in the 1960’s and was a consistent member of GBC’s Board of Elders, significantly influencing the direction and mission of the church. He was an avid reader and student of scripture, teaching various Bible studies over the years at his church. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a witness for Him to many lives during his days here.
Dick and Joy loved to travel and the two of them had been around the world, from India to Ecuador, the former Soviet Union to Nepal, including numerous trips to Europe. Their relationship was romantic and openly affectionate for the almost 57 years of their marriage. Their marriage was a beautiful picture of the inseparable ‘one flesh’ bond that God intended all marriages to be; their example of mutual devotion left a lasting impression on many.
Dick was larger than life to his children, who grew up on war stories, touring vacations around the U.S., and lengthy theological discussions at the supper table.
Survivors include his wife, Joy; brother, Steven of Dallas; children, Mary Joy Hinton and husband, Richard of Dallas, Dick Davison Jr. and wife, Karen of Bryan, and Julie Larson and husband, Rick of Bryan; grandchildren, Andress Koenning of Dallas, Richard III and Howard Davison of Bryan, Marion Larson of Bryan, and Elizabeth Hinton of Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Timothy Trust Fund at Grace Bible Church, 700 Anderson Dr., College Station, 77840.
Please leave condolences at www.callawayjones.com.
Dear Davison family,
May the Lord comfort you in this time of loss.
Please allow me to give a brief encouragement and testimony on behalf of what impact Dick had and has on me. As I was a young family man in first meeting him, he displayed enthusiasm that was and is contagious. He also showed me not the how to pray but the actual praying. As E.M. Bounds has said there are many how to instructions on praying but what we need are people who actually pray.
Dick was that example to me and has caused my life with the Lord to be ever closer through prayer. When we see him again, no doubt I will thank him for passing that along to me.
Finally, his enthusiasm for the Lord was something caught from him as much as taught.
Thank you for sharing him with me.
God Bless you,
Roy Brantley
Aunt Joy and Family,
Uncle Dick was a wonderful uncle, husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed greatly. We are sorry that we can not be there with you, but know that you are all in thoughts and prayers during this very diffucult time. We remember how hard it is to lose a loved one. Every day gets a little easier, but you never forget. Cherish the wonderful times you had as a family.
Dear Mrs. Davidson(Joy) and Davidson family:
I was one of Dr. Davidson’s first students @ A – M. He was completing his Ph.D. the year he taught the Senior Mass Transfer class(1959). He was a very concientious and caring person even though he had a lot on his mind about completing his degree.
My wife – I were newly married students in my senior year at A – M and Dick – Joy were always very helpful – friendly to us.
Over the years Dick – I have had numerous occasions to visit during my serving on the Chemical Engineering Advisory Board and we have always identified as being kindred spirits.
Joy – family : May the Lord Bless – keep you, may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May His countenance be upon you and give you Peace.
Jack – Marilyn Hopper
I just want to let the whole family know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you find peace in this difficult time.
Dick and Karen,
I was saddened to hear of your loss. Although I did not know your father, from our conversations he seemed to have lead a meaningful and loving life, continuously surrounded by family and friends. This is a testament that he lead life to its fullest. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Julie
We are sorry for your loss. Your father was a great man. What a beautiful tribute written about him and his full and happy life. He will be truly missed by all. It would have been a pleasure to meet him and hear his stories. Nick was fortunate to get to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Rick and Marion.
Dr. Davison and Joy were a blessing to me and did such wonderful things for me and my family. I know that my father thought the world of him, and he will miss calling him. May God bless the whole family and know that he is in a better place now.
Dear Joy and family,
Dick’s life was a great blessing to me. His love for our Lord and his words, his integrity, humility and love for people I will not forget. May you be comforted in knowing Dick is in a far better place. Phillipians 1:23 RSV
We both send our love,
Ford and Barbara Madison