Horace C. Davidson Jr.

A celebration of the life of Horace C. Davidson, Jr. will be held at 2:00pm February 26, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Texas, 410 E. University Drive. The son of H.C. Davidson, Sr. and Veda Halbert Davidson, Horace was born July 21, 1926 in Port Arthur, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jane S. Davidson, Ph.D. of Georgetown, Texas; a son, John H. Davidson, M.D. and wife, Norma, of Rochester, Minnesota; a daughter, Linda J. Neal and husband, Tom of Groves, Texas; a brother, Neil H. Davidson of Irving, Texas; a sister, Barbara Jean Slaughter of Arlington, Texas; and four grandchildren: Laura Beth Neal Garmon and husband, Jeff; Ragan Thomas Neal and wife Brooke; Grant Edward Neal and Jacob Bernard Davidson and three great grandsons: Thomas Michael Neal, Jackson Hoyt Neal and Joshua Shane Garmon, and nieces and nephews.

A 1943 graduate of Beaumont High School, Mr. Davidson earned degrees from Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, and University of Houston. He served his country in World War II, graduating from the United States Merchant Marines Academy at Kings Point, New York with a license and commission in the Maritime Service and the United States Navy where he received a Marine Engineering License in Steam and Diesel Engineering and a Commission in Maritime Service and the United States Navy. After WW II he remained in the Naval Reserve. He retired with the grade of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) following twenty years of military service.

He completed academic studies for Bachelor degrees in Music and Mathematics as well as Mechanical Engineering. He was a public school educator in Vidor, South Park and Port Arthur, Texas Independent School Districts, where he taught math, music theory and directed award-winning choirs. He worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Texaco Chemical in Port Neches, Texas until retirement in 1987.

As an avocation he directed church and community choirs throughout his lifetime for adults and youth.He served as the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Groves,Texas for twenty-two years, where he impacted the lives of adults and young people alike both musically and spiritually. He was active in the Chancel Choir at Calder Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas where he also served as a deacon.

The Davidsons moved to Georgetown in 1996, residing in the Dell Webb Sun City Active Retirement Community. He became a charter member of the Sun City Singers and participated as a soloist in the Sun City Follies. He became active in First United Methodist Church, serving on the Senior Adult Ministries Council and organized and directed the Senior Adult Choir.

He was an avid collector of art. Having completed studies in Art at Lamar University after retirement, he became active in creating designs in oil bronze sculptures. He was a member of the Sun City Ceramics and Visual Arts Clubs as well as the Williamson County Art Guild. When opportunities arose he accepted leadership roles in civic organizations: Ambassador for the Georgetown Symphony Society; President of the Groves Lions Club and served for five years as an Alderman and Mayor of the Bevil Oaks community near Beaumont, Texas from 1990-1996.

Possessing a strong sense of integrity and commitment to high ideals he was devoted to his family, giving unselfish, encouraging support and often providing opportunities for travel excursions to his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered also for his love of George Frideric Handel’s MESSIAH, organizing many Davidson Family MESSIAH Sing-A-Longs, carrying on the tradition begun by his father in the mid-twentieth century and expanding it to include the larger community of friends and associates in Beaumont and Georgetown as well.

Having been instrumental in establishing a scholarship in honor of his wife upon her retirement, he requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Dr. Jane S. Davidson Scholarship, Lamar University Foundation, P.O. Box 11500, Beaumont, Texas 77710.