Richard Floyd Davisson

Richard Floyd Davisson (Dick) died Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the age of 88 at home, surrounded by his very loving family. Dick was born on April 25, 1930, in Anderson Indiana, to Zelna Stevens and Clarence Owen Davisson. With his parents, his brothers; Bill and Dan, and his sister Jane, Dick grew up in his beloved Anderson, where he resided his entire life. He graduated from Anderson High School in 1949 - along with many who would be his life-long friends. He then attended Indiana University, where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity, Alpha Iota Chapter of which his father was a founding member and from which several more of his closest life-long friendships were forged. Dick earned a B.S. in Business from Indiana University 1953, served in the United States Army, and earned his JD from IU Law School in 1957. He married the love of his life, Dorothy Janice (Jan) Davisson of Greenwood, Indiana on June 16, 1956. Dick and Jan shared an extraordinary love, raised their three children and were devotedly married for 54 years. Throughout his life, Dick filled his life, his family’s life, and the lives of everyone he knew, with a special joy. While devoting himself absolutely to his profession and to serving his clients and friends, he was, at heart, eternally youthful and, after placing his Lord and his family above all else, he focused all of his energy, passion and abilities on serving, encouraging and mentoring young people. Dick’s Faith and love of God was the absolute foundation of everything in his life. He served First Presbyterian Church, where he and his family worshipped, throughout his life in every possible capacity, often bringing new programs, Bible studies, service opportunities and ministries to the church, as well as to the entire Anderson Community. He and Jan were instrumental in establishing Young Life in Anderson in the 1970’s and worked tirelessly to bring a knowledge and love of Christ to young people throughout Madison County. In the late 70’s, Dick & Jan attended annual Young Life adult Ski and Grow Camps in Colorado where their faith and friendships were also further strengthened and enriched. Among the greatest gifts God gave to Dick - was the relationship, both personal and professional, he and Jan shared with Bill & Gloria Gaither. They were deeply blessed by their friendship and ministry and particularly loved attending the Praise Gathering in Indianapolis every year. Dick loved golf throughout his life, and played tennis for many years - but above all he loved nature and spent many of his favorite hours walking the family farm, planting trees (by the thousands), fishing with family and friends, and exploring nature. He loved years spent at the family vacation home in northern Michigan and at Captiva Island with Jan and family and with his most cherished friends. In recent years, he came to love kayaking by which he could explore nature even as walking had become more difficult. And he loved looking up at the night sky. With just his eyes, or with a telescope - or while lying on his back on the warm summer grass or in the snow on a clear winter night - a flashlight in hand to point out the planets and the constellations, he told his children that to study the night sky was to see actual proof, a lawyers evidence, that God exists and created all this - which is so vastly greater and more magnificent than we can ever comprehend. Dick was very much involved in the Anderson Community in countless endeavors - serving in both Exchange Club (as President) and the Anderson Rotary Club, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving on or leading dozens of other community organizations, committees, commissions, and efforts. He loved being an attorney, held that trust at the highest standard, and he cherished the personal and professional relationships that came as a result. These often extended beyond a business to a family and he dedicated himself not just to the companies - but also to the people and the friendships he came to cherish through the years. Yet what many recall most of Dick, was his dedication to young people. He was an incredible husband to Jan, and father to his children, as well as a much loved uncle to his nieces and nephews and he was a very special mentor and influence to many more. Through Scouting - where he was a Troup leader, to the YMCA Indian Guides, to Church Youth Groups and Young Life, to legendary adventures and memories forged at his beloved family farm at Perkinsville, Dick loved sharing his joy for life, his imagination and inspiration, his dedication, responsibility and duty - with others. He lived an extraordinary life, focused on ‘the things that matter’ - which he clearly recognized came from God, and for which he was deeply grateful. Of special note is the way he has lived his life in recent years. Despite the loss of his beloved Jan in 2010, he determined to live life to the fullest, to relish all of life’s blessings, to enjoy every moment of every day with family and friends, and to watch over, pray for, encourage and celebrate his family. Preceded in death by Jan, Dick is survived by by his children, Leslie Ann Davisson Mattingly (Mack) of St. Simons Island, Georgia, William Calvert Davisson (Karen) of Pendleton, and Jennifer Lynn Davisson of Fortville, Grandchildren Laura Anne Davisson and James Richard Davisson of Florida, his brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Janie Davisson of Anderson, sister-in-law Karen Smith Hill and Jim of Naples Florida, brother-in-law Leeds Hutchinson of Milwaukee Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews, as well as the extended Davisson, and Calvert families. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William (Bill) Davisson & sister Jane Davisson Hutchinson. The Visitation will be held at Loose Funeral Home, 200 W 53rd Street Anderson, on Saturday May 5 from 4pm to 8pm. Private Interment at Anderson Memorial Park on Sunday morning will be followed by A Service in Celebration of and Thanksgiving for his Life at The First Presbyterian Church, Anderson, Indiana on Sunday May 6, 2018 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, friends may consider gifts to Young Life, by making an on-line gift at giving.younglife.org or at Young Life, Attn Christina Harrell 420 North Cascade Colorado Springs CO 80901 , to First Presbyterian Church 230 W 9th St Anderson IN, or to the charity of their personal choice.

Richard Floyd Davisson

April 25, 1930 - May 2, 2018