Gary D. Davidson

Gary D. Davidson, age 75, of Upper Arlington passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2011. Gary was born on March 27, 1936 in Sidney, Ohio; he was the son of the late Carl and Venice Davidson. Gary is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Martha Davidson; daughters, Stephanie (Kenneth) Shaffer of Springfield, OH and Jennifer (Yoichi Takanashi) Davidson of Upper Arlington; grandchildren, Erin Shaffer and Max, Ashley, Duke and Richard Takanashi; and brother, Norris (Nancy) Davidson of Sidney, OH. Gary received his B.A. from The Ohio State University, M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1968. He also received his Master of Divinity in 1995 from the Methodist Theological Seminary. Gary was a longtime member of Mountview Baptist Church where he was very active for more then 40 years. Gary had a strong passion in the ministry and served as an interim pastor in Johnstown, Bucyrus and Marengo. He served as the Director of Laboratories for the Ohio Department of Health, Past President of the Ohio Baptist Convention, Past President for the Columbus Baptist Association, American Public Health Association, American Society for Microbiology, Association of State and Territorial Public Health Lab Directors, and Sigma Xi. When Gary was not involved with activities in his church and professional career he enjoyed photography, reading and music. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 6-8pm at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 11am at Mountview Baptist Church, 2140 Fishinger Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221, Rev. Kevin A. Snyder officiating. Interment to follow at Kingwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Mountview Baptist Church. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences and share memories.