Obituary of James Thomas Davison

James Thomas Davison of Coffeyville, KS, passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at St. Francis Hospital South in Tulsa, OK. James was born July 2, 1938 To Gladys and Charles Levi Davison. He was the eldest of four children. On September 30, 1953 he joined the United States Army as a cook. He served his country in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. On March 15, 1957 he received an honorable discharge decorated with the National Defense Service Medal. Even after he was discharged, he continued to remain active in the Army Reserves until 1961. On June 30, 1958, he married Joyce Marie Wilson of Coffeyville. To this union they had four children: Micah Davison who precedes him in death, Jeanene Giles (Dwayne) of Kansas City, MO, James Davison Jr. who preceded him in death, (Ladina) of Columbus, GA; and Dawnisha Davison of Broken Arrow, OK. James was active in his community, he was both a Free-Mason and a Shriner. And in his earlier years he was also a member of Coffeyville's Ritz Club. He worked at Sherwin Williams, otherwise known as, "The Smelter", in Coffeyville, until he retired. After the death of his wife in 1985 he later decided to remarry. On March 29, 2000, he married Evelyn Greene of Coffeyville. With five children of her own and four from his previous marriage they now become a blended family of 9 children. Our dad loved fishing, reading, cooking, driving and the casinos. Dad would drive all over the place and no matter where he ended up, he never met a stranger. I guess you could say this was one of his God-given talents. He was never afraid to talk to anyone or to say what was on his mind for that matter, but after just a few minutes of conversation, it would seem as though he and whomever he was talking to had known each other for years. He was very engaging in his conversation. Anyone who knew our dad, knew that he was a strong, stern man who made quite a presence when he walked into a room. And even as he grew older, and his body became weaker, he still made quite a presence. He changed from a stern man who was always serious to a humbler soul who just didn't sweat the small stuff anymore. In his later years, you could always depend on being greeted with a soft, warm smile whenever you walked through those doors on 410 N Maple. Our Dad wasn't perfect, but then, no-one is. He raised his children the best he knew how and he loved his family and provided for us all the best he could. The Best, that's what we all aim for and that's what we all expect, and he did just that, he gave his best. Today, we celebrate the Home Going of James T. Davison; Husband, Father, Brother, Son, Uncle, Grandfather, and Friend. He is survived by his wife Evelyn of the home, (2) brothers; Levi Davison of Wichita, KS, Manford Davison of Coffeyville, KS and sister Gwendolyn Wimbley of Wichita, KS. His Step-children; Anthony Woods (Trish) of Paola, KS; Albert Woods (Sharon) of Topeka, KS; Chris Woods (SuAnne) of Coffeyville, KS; Frances Clemons (Bobbie) of Coffeyville, KS and Deborah Reed Johnson (Cordel) of Wichita, KS. Others left to cherish his memory: 30 Grandchildren, 28 Great-grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews, cousins, and friends. James can never return to us, but someday, maybe we can go to where he is. On Oct 31st, 2020, Dad was reunited with his mother, his two sons, all his former loved ones that had gone ahead of him, and his Heavenly Father; Jehovah God Almighty. I take solace in knowing that this is not the end. Graveside Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at the Veterans Memorial Patio in Fairview Cemetery with Pastor Kevin Lambert officiating. Private Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. Friends may call on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.