Jo Edward Davidson

Jo Edward Davidson was a beloved son, father and grandfather, brother, uncle, and member of his church. He was a proud veteran, a knowledgeable airplane and glider plane pilot, a singer of Barber Shop Quartet music, a hilarious sharer of bad-Dad jokes, and a wonderful storyteller of his life and adventures. Jo rode at least one century (100+ miles) bike ride, lived in and visited multiple countries, met heads of state in the Philippines, and built his own TV and stereo from scratch. Jo loved to solve computer problems and troubleshoot solutions. He was especially proud to be an electrical engineer for his life's work, so much so that he wrote a book about his achievements, which was edited by his youngest daughter Jennifer. The book is currently available on Amazon in print or as an e-book, titled "Far From the Flagpole: An Electrical Engineer Tells His Story." Jo would often precede his jokes with, "Hey, I've got a question for you." He frequently called the family with Good News Updates because he always wanted to have something good to share, even if it was just that he'd had a delicious meal or fixed his computer. Jo was passionate about supporting and caring for his family, and watching Turner Classic Movies. Jo was smart, funny, and a great person to be around. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Mother's name: Evelyn Lucille Sharpe Davidson

Father's name: James Palmer Davidson

Birthplace: Detroit, Wayne County, MI

EDUCATION

Mackenzie High School, Detroit, MI, June 1954

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, June 4, 1963

Master of Science Awarded for Life Experience in the Field of Electrical Engineering, Suffield University, Twin Falls, ID, May 21, 2006

United States Air Force Airman Education and Commissioning Program, 1959

WORK HISTORY

USAF 6594th ATW, Computer Communications Officer, Sunnyvale, CA, 6/59 to 12/65

Eastman Kodak, Supervisor, Digital Applications, Rochester, NY, 1/66 to 3/69

Genesee Computer Center, Manager, Rochester, NY, 4/69 to 2/71

Rochester General Hospital, Director, Data Processing, Rochester, NY, 3/71 to 1/76

Hospital Pavia, Data Processing Consultant, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2/76 to 7/76

Tymshare Medical Systems, Senior Systems Consultant, Mahwah, New Jersey, 8/76 to 12/77

Tymshare, Department Manager Applications Development, Cupertino, CA, 1/78 to 3/82

Tymnet Inc, Manager - Project Management Services, Cupertino, CA, 4/82 to 4/84

Scientific Atlanta Satellite Communications, Program Manager, Atlanta, GA, 5/84 to 6/86

NCR Comten Private Network Systems, Communications Consultant, St. Paul, MN, 10/86 to 8/87

Bellsouth International, Director of Business Development, Atlanta, GA, 6/88 to 6/91

SVP Inc., Communications and Systems Consultant, Atlanta, GA, 3/92 to 5/92

Digital Communications Ltd, Vice President, Lagos, Nigeria, 6/92 to 6/94

Adia Information Technologies, Technical Team Lead, Atlanta, GA, 1/95 to 12/95

Scientific Atlanta, Systems Engineer, Norcross, GA, 12/1995 to 8/1996

Alcatel, Systems Engineer, Memphis, TN, 9/1997 to 12/1999

Globalstar, Test Director, Satellite Network Systems, 1999-2000

CHURCH AFFILIATIONS

New Life Church of the Nazarene, San Jose, CA, 1977-1984

Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, Alpharetta, GA, 1984-1999

Central Church, Collierville, TN, 1999-2024

ORGANIZATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

Chairman, Association for Computing Machinery, Rochester Chapter, NY 1974-1975

Member, Chorus of the Genessee, Rochester, NY, 1971-1975

Member, Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America Inc. (SPEBSQSA), Rochester Chapter, NY, 1971-1975

Board of Directors, Finances, New Life Church of the Nazarene, San Jose, CA, 1982-83

Certified Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), August 10, 2002

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

US Air Force awarded Jo the rank of Second Lieutenant, December 21, 1962

US Senator Barry Goldwater recognized Jo for graduating from college in a letter, June 25, 1963

AlaskaNet Implementation Team Recognition, July to December 1983

Bellsouth Project ACE Team Australia, 1990-1991

Bank of America recognized Jo for his contribution to the installation and acceptance of the Bank of America Network, possibly between 1993-1998, no year listed on award

Jo wrote a program that went on to be developed into GPS. He humbly did not believe he deserved recognition for this, as it was just part of his everyday work, but his daughters think he does.

SURVIVING RELATIVES

Spouse - Merry Luanne Davidson, Collierville, TN

Daughter - Dawn Marie Davidson, Belmont, CA

Daughter - Jennifer Lynn Davidson, Monterey, CA

Granddaughter - Allegra Kiska Davidson, Washington State

Granddaughter - Victoria Lynn Collins Vickery, Melbourne, Australia

Grandson-in-law - Jesse Vickery, Melbourne, Australia

Brother - Jon Davidson, DeBary, FL

Sister-in-law - Patricia M Davidson, DeBary, FL

Sister - Ann Edwards, Belleville, MI

Brother-in-law - James Edwards, Belleville, MI

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

A Celebration of Life for Jo Edward Davidson will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 2 pm CT, at the Chapel at Central Church, 2005 East Winchester Boulevard, Collierville, TN 38017.

We invite his friends and family, church members, neighborhood community, his care facilities, and anyone who knew and loved Jo to be together as we share photos, stories, memories, and "Dad jokes" plus a special message from Pastor Gus Schroeder.

The service is expected to last approximately one hour to an hour and 15 minutes, followed by coffee and doughnuts in the church hallway.

Copies of Jo's book "Far From the Flagpole, An Electrical Engineer Tells His Story" will be available for sale at the service, and are also available on Amazon in print or electronic book formats.

https://a.co/d/gRX6qhJ

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Disabled American Veterans.

https://help.dav.org/page/66135/donate/1

You may also light a digital candle for Jo here at his permanent online memorial site. We would very much like to see a dozen candles for Jo. 🕯️🙏

_____________

You are invited to

a Committal Service

for JO and MERRY DAVIDSON

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Arrival 11:00 am Eastern Time

Services begin at 11:30 am

After-gathering/lunch 12:45 pm until 2:45 pm at Uptown Coney Restaurant, Chelsea

FITCHBURG CEMETERY

Fitchburg Road, Bunkerhill Township

Stockbridge, Michigan 49285

Directions at bottom

Services officiated by Pastor Joy Barrett, Chelsea United Methodist Church, Chelsea, MI.

The family will share short tributes, then place Jo and Merry's urns into their final resting place. The service will end with Military Honors for Jo, including a Gun Salute.

Please wear bright and colorful clothing to the service! Merry's favorite colors were pink, red, and yellow, and Jo's favorite color was blue.

Light a digital candle for Merry here

or use this link: bit.ly/MerryDavidsonMemorial

Light a digital candle for Jo here

or use this link: bit.ly/JoDavidsonMemorial

Scroll down below the 'In Memory Of' box of photos.

DONATIONS IN LIEU OF FLOWERS

For JO: https://help.dav.org/page/66135/donate/1

For MERRY: https://dementiasociety.charityproud.org/donate

RSVP AND QUESTIONS

Jen's cell: (510) 213-1222

Jen's email: [email protected]

DIRECTIONS TO FITCHBURG CEMETERY

From Stockbridge - Head west on W. Main Street past M-52. W. Main Street will turn into Morton Road. Take a left (south) on Heeney Road which will curve around and start heading west. Follow Heeney to Parman Road. Turn left (south) on Parman Road. Take a right (west) on Fitchburg Road. Go past Freiermuth Road and past Haynes Road. The cemetery is on the left side of the road. If you pass Williamston Road you've gone too far.

GATHERING/LUNCH AT UPTOWN CONEY RESTAURANT - ALL ARE WELCOME

Saturday, Sept 20, 2025

Arrival 12:45 pm until 2:45 pm Eastern Time

30 mins from Fitchburg Cemetery

Off I-94, 1555 S. Main St, Chelsea, Michigan 48118

(734) 433-1012

Indoor patio / atrium area off main dining. Seats available at multiple tables surrounded by windows. Seated orders.

We will share memories and tell stories of Jo and Merry!

PLEASE RSVP TO JENNIFER

(510) 213-1222 or [email protected]

so we can confirm our reservation number.