Lee Walter Davidson Jr.

Lee was a retired Methodist Minister with over 50 years of service to the Methodist community; his last appointment was at the Deltona Methodist Church from 1975-1981, he received his Masters in Divinity from Southern Methodist University in 1944.

Lee was the husband of the late Wilmoth Davidson of 50 years, He is survived by his daughter; Susan L. Davidson-Davis, 2 sons; Walter S. Davidson and Lamar (Dianna) Davidson, Lee is also survived by his beloved granddaughter Melanie (Joseph) Rodgers.

Friends will be received at the Deltona Memorial Funeral Home 1295 Saxon Blvd Orange City Florida on Saturday March 16, 2013 from 6:00-8:00pm. A Life Celebration service will be held on Sunday March 17, at 11:00a.m. in the funeral home chapel.

Life History

by

Lee Walter Davidson Jr.

Birthdate:

July 22, 1918 (see, I’m a depression kid)

Birthplace:

Wheeler County Texas (see, I’m a dis-loyal Texas)

Schooling:

Graduate, Kelton High School, 1935, Salutatorian.

Bachelor of Science Degree, West Texas State College Canyon Texas.

Bachelor of Divinity Degree, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 1944.

Worked on Masters of Theology Degree, Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas.

Military Service:

Chaplain, U.S. Navy, 1944-1946. Meritorious Award for duty in Pacific Ocean.

Professional Data:

Admitted on Trial, Central Texas Conference, 1939.

Ordained Deacon, Elter, Full Connection, 1942;

U.S. Naval Chaplain, 1944-1946

Joined Florida United Methodist Conference, 1947. Retired June 1, 1981

Pastorates:

Baldwell, Texas, Ennis Texas 1941-1944

Epworth United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, FL 1947-1950

Havana United Methodist Church, Havana Florida 1950-1953

Umatilla Methodist Church, Umatilla, Florida 1953-1957

Madison United Methodist Church, Madison, Florida 1957-1958

Peeler United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, Florida 1958-1962

North Hialeah United Methodist Church, Hialeah Florida, 1962-1968

First United Methodist Church, Kissimmee Florida, 1968-1972

First United Methodist Church, Titusville, Florida 1972-1975

First United Methodist Church Deltona Florida, 1975-1981

Retired, June 1, 1981.

Honors and Recognition:

United States Navy Certificate of Award, 1946

Chaplain, House of Representatives, Tallahassee, Florida 1953

Dean of United Methodist Youth Camps, Leesburg, Florida, several summers

Director of Youth Work for Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Miami Districts of the United Methodist Church

Instructor at Lake Junaluska Senior Youth Assembly, 1954

Adult Advisor, United Christian Youth Movement, Florida Council of Churches, 1954-1956

Autobiography by; Lee Walter Davidson, August 3, 1993

About the only thing I can recall of my Ministry that might bear repeating are the following. While I was pastor at the North Hialeah UMS, 1962-1968, I received 998 new members in six years. I averaged about 45 to 50 weddings a year, which meant that most Friday nights and Saturdays were tied up with rehearsals and weddings. Very often, someone will come up and tap me on the shoulder and say, “Rev Davidson, you married my wife (husband) and I in ………..”. There are two couples here in Orange City that remind me that I married them.. Years ago. So, I guess I could be called another “marrying Sam”.

My greatest joy was in being used to lead someone to Jesus Christ, and to receive them into the church. As I have noted above, I did a lot of that in my ministry.

By the way, I started my ministry as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. My first assignment was the US Naval Air Station, Jacksonville Florida, and that was where I met my wife. She was secretary to the Executive Officer, and when I would go up there to be the chaplain for the MAST (court session by the executive officer), I would see her in his office. I wondered how in the world I would ever get to meet her. In a short time, I was on a double-date with a Wave Lt., and Wilmoth was with the other Naval Officer. Before the night was over, I managed to get her telephone number. For the next month, I dated her every night, and ultimately “popped the question”. Where? I took her on a canoe trip on a beautiful creek, and when the time was right, I asked her to marry me. She put off an answer for a few minutes, and then finally said “yes”.

About three months later, I received an assignment to become the chaplain on the USS Tryon, APH #1. We headed for Honolulu, and eventually for Japan. We were in the waters just off Japan when V.J. Day took place. Our commanding officer said chaplain, lets have a party. So we did just that. Over the P.A. System, I called for any and all talent aboard the ship. We had professional musicians, singers, actors, etc. Aboard, so we really had a great party…. I was in Tokyo, Japan the next day after V.J. Day. I was able to bring home with me a genuine samurai sword, but again, my greatest joy was being a pastor in church.

Gee, I never intended to relate all of this, but I guess I have one more high light in my ministry. IO served as chaplain of the House of Representatives in Tallahassee under Farris Bryant, who later became our governor of the state of Florida. When I was invited to become chaplain, I boldly told Mr. Bryant that I was not interested “unless he thought I could represent the Good Lord in the House of Representatives.” My other condition was that he and I would have a short private prayer session in his office every morning before the session began. To my surprise, he grabbed my hand and said “yes” that’s what I want”. And so matter who was waiting outside in the office, he left instructions with his secretary that “I was next to see him.” I kept faith, and always made my prayers short. Now, you have me sounding like I am bragging: For the first time in history of Congress, the chaplain’s prayers were printed in the JOURNAL, the daily newspaper for the House of Representatives……. I really did feel that God was using me, and studied as hard for the prayers as I ever did for the sermons I preached in my churches. Danta Fascell, who is now in Washington, once stopped me and Said, “You’re the best dam chaplain we have ever had.”

Back to the above paragraph, you remember that Farris Bryant did become governor of our state. He was not the best governor our state has had because he refused to compromise his convictions. I stated out my prayer for the members of the House of Representatives, but later began to pray for the citizens of our state. I hope you understand what I mean by that statement.

The main conclusion I came to from that experience is that Compromise is king, when it comes to politics. “You scratch my back and I will scratch yours” is a folksy saying, but so true of our politicians. Somewhere along the way and somehow, we survive.

PS: While in Japan, I did get to see General MacArthur and use his “red phone” to try to locate my brother who was a paratrooper. I didn't’t locate him at the time, but he did survive…. I visited him two weeks ago in North Carolina