James D. Davidson

James D. Davidson, 91, loving husband, father, and grandfather (Papa/PawPaw) passed away at Midland Memorial Hospital, Hospice unit on Friday, April 20, 2012. He was born in San Benito, Cameron County, Texas on September 28, 1920. JD (as friends called him), served the United States Navy during WWII. He served on the USS Portland and the USS Wilkes-Barre. After leaving the Navy, he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety serving for 29 years until his retirement as Sergeant in 1976. He met his wife of 67 years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while on leave from the Navy. After a whirl wind romance they married. She headed to Texas, he headed back to war. His ship, stationed in Pearl Harbor, was on a mission looking for a Japanese submarine. Upon news of the Pearl Harbor attack, they were one of the first ships back into harbor to help with the rescue and recovery. He attended the Deep Sea Diving School in Connecticut, served at sea for over 66 months and earned the ranking of Boatswain 1C. He fought in every major battle in the Pacific Theater, including the Battle of Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal. He was a long standing member of First Baptist Church of Midland, serving as a Deacon and Sunday school teacher.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Bettie Jo Davidson, his mother and father, and three brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Bettie Davidson; daughter, Jamie Thompson and husband, Doyle Thompson; son, John Davidson and wife, Freda Davidson; daughter, Janet Hall and husband, Russell Hall; daughter, Judy Hinkle and husband, Nolan Hinkle; and daughter, Marla Morton and husband, Rick Morton. Also left to cherish his memory are his granddaughters, Dustie Johnson, Tammie Logsdon, Tiffany Locke, and Jodi Williams; grandsons, Matthew James Hinkle, Ryan Davidson Hall, Logan Morton, and Chance Morton; great granddaughters, Ariel Windsor, Jordan Williams; and great grandsons, Miles Goran, Hayden Johnson, Cameron Logsdon, and Cade Williams. Also, he is survived by two brothers, three sisters, and many more family and friends.

The family of James D. Davidson wishes to thank the home health care givers Pam of Accolade, Ashley, Mary, Eva, Chris, Rosemary, and Hospice of Midland for their care.

Visitation will be Sunday evening, April 22, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday, April 23, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel, with interment to follow at Resthaven North. Pallbearers will be Russell Hall, Rick Morton, William Logsdon, Guylan “Jamie” Johnson, Brady Locke, and Edward Williams. Honorary pallbearers are John Davidson, Doyle Thompson, and Tommie Conner.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Condolences may be made at: www.ellisfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Fallen Officers Fund at Texas Department of Public Safety, P. O. Box 4087 Austin, Texas 78773-0001 or the National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 East Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.