Dorn was born in Roanoke, VA, in 1952, the third of five children. He lived in Columbus since 1962, when his father came to Columbus and opened the first KFC franchise in GA. He was a graduate of Kendrick High School where he met his wife of 50 years, Louise. (They were secretly married his senior year!)
In his first year of college, he was drafted into the US Army where he served for two years. During basic training, he had to pass a night vision shooting range or take the entire course again. He knew he couldn’t do it because of his lazy eye. He couldn’t focus. His faith in Christ became his own during his time in basic training, and he prayed, “God, You have to hit the targets, I’m going to aim my rifle and shoot.” He was later awarded a National Defense Service Sharpshooter (M-16) Award - one of many, many answered prayers during his lifetime.
After the military Dorn returned to college, and during his senior year, his education was interrupted again when his father died; he joined the family business with his siblings. By then, the business - American Valley Inns - included Days Inn franchises and more KFC Stores. Twenty years after he began college, he graduated with a BA in Business Administration. He continued working in the business until it was sold in 1997.
During their marriage, Dorn and Louise were involved with several youth group ministries, including Teen Advisors, which is a ministry he dearly loved.
Dorn was a committed and devoted husband, father, “Pops,” uncle, brother, and friend. He will forever be remembered for his laughter, his faith in God, his kindness and generosity, his compassionate spirit, and his wisdom and advice to the many family and the friends he counseled. The number of lives he touched is immeasurable. He was a father to many. He loved well and will forever be loved and missed by his family and friends.
Dorn is survived by his wife, Louise Hankins Davidson; brothers, Ransom Douglas Davidson (deceased), Steven Yale Davidson (Janice Kelsoe Davidson), and Richard Elton Davidson (deceased); sister Darlene Davidson Hutcheson (Henry, deceased); son Benjamin Clay Davidson (Renae Holcomb Davidson); daughter Rebecca Davidson Ross; son Joseph Daniel Davidson (Gini Woolfolk Davidson); grandchildren Mallory LeeAnne Davidson Dudley (Joshua), Charles Grant Davidson, Catherine Lane Davidson, Blythe Dorn Davidson Hong (Dae Sung), Cylese "Lesey" O'Neal Davidson (who was like a daughter to him), Joshua David Ross, Ethan Benjamin Ross, Lauren Rebecca Ross, Maxwell Dylan Davidson, and Coralee Frances Davidson; great-granddaughter Hailey Marie Dudley; sisters-in-law Norma Dunipace, Carol Done (deceased), and Barbara Black (Curt); nieces and nephews Jennifer Lynn Doyle (who was like a daughter to him), James Fleenor, Jessica Forsyth, Jackie Horne (Brett), Jonathan Davidson (Wendy), Matthew Davidson (Krissy), Martha Davidson Debice (Phillip), Henry Hutcheson, Hannah Hutcheson Callaway (Patrick), Haley Hutcheson, Gregory Done, and Rachael Weeks; and great-nieces and great-nephews Madelyn Pollock and Justin Pollock (who were like grandchildren to him), Alexis Forsyth, Clay Forsyth, Audrey Horne, J.J. Davidson, Jenny Davidson, Erin Davidson, Cooper Davidson, Blake Debice, Kathryn Debice, Olivia Davidson, Barrett Davidson, and Aria Smith.
Dorn’s family will honor and celebrate his life on Monday, January 11, 2021, at Christ Community Church, 4078 Milgen Road, Columbus, Georgia. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. followed by the service at 2:00 p.m.
The service will be live-streamed at the following link: https://christcommunitychurchga.online.church/
In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that donations be made to Teen Advisors, Inc.,
1316 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, GA 31906.
