John Walter "Jack" Davison Jr.'s Obituary
JOHN “JACK” WALTER DAVISON, JR.
In the early morning of February 2, 2016, Jack passed away peacefully in his home in Leesburg, VA of natural causes. Jack was being comforted by his wife, Jane, and visited by family members and friends. He was 84 years old.
Jack was born in Pensacola, FL, on July 30, 1931. He was the first of five children born to CAPT John W. Davison and Adele Monges Davison. Jack grew up living in many locations around the world as his family followed his father’s naval career before, during and after World War II. Jack graduated from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1953, and served in the Navy for ten years as a naval aviator, principally flying the AD (later A-1) Skyraider, or “Spad.” His last assignment in the Navy was as a translator of French in Saigon, Vietnam, an exciting tour accompanied by his wife, Jane, shortly after they were married. He obtained a master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Virginia, taught classes at the U.S. Naval Academy, and then pursued his civilian career in computer programming. Jack worked for more than 20 years as a computer systems analyst for the U.S. Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. After retiring from civil service, he became an independent contractor for several companies and institutions, including the International Development Bank of the Americas and Qualex Consulting Services, Inc. He was an expert in SAS programming and regularly attended the annual international conventions of the SAS Users Group, often accompanied by Jane.
Jack was an active member of the Loudoun community and a long-time member of St. James Episcopal Church in Leesburg. He was involved over the years in several community theater groups as both a director and actor with many memorable roles, such as Sheridan Whiteside in the Fredericktowne Players production of The Man Who Came to Dinner. Jack was a Worshipful Master and Deputy District Grandmaster affiliated with the Olive Branch Lodge No. 114 of the Ancient, Free, and Accepted Freemasons. The Lions Club International Foundation recognized Jack as a Melvin Jones Fellow in 2009, largely for his leadership in the Lions of Virginia Bland Musical Competition for young musicians of high school age to develop their talent. When a stroke in 2008 left him hemiplegic and unable to continue working professionally, Jack continued to maintain his contacts and pursue his interests online via the internet, such as using FindaGrave.com to develop virtual cemeteries for his family, Naval Academy classmates, and other many other groups and associations.
Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Marian Holmes Davison; a daughter, Kathryn D. van Noppen; and a sister, Sally “Jill” D. Prickett. Jack is survived by his wife, Jane Bradfield Davison; his daughter, Lisa Longcrow; and sons, John W. Davison III and Edward “Brad” B. Davison. He is also survived by a sister, Dorothy “Dori” D. Comer; and brothers, Richard and Henry G. Davison. A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St NW, Leesburg, VA on Sunday, February 7, 2016, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Lights of Love, The Ladies Board, P.O. Box 6115, Leesburg, VA 20178-7411; or, Lions of VA Bland Foundation, 6213 Settlers Trail Pl, Gainesville, VA 20155. Special thanks go to the providers of Inova Loudoun Hospital and the hospice caregivers of Capital Care of Loudoun. Memories may be shared at: www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
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