Robert C. Davidson

Robert C. Davidson, Jr., 97, of Jonesboro, died of natural causes
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at his home.

Born in Harrisburg, Mr. Davidson lived most of his life in Jonesboro. He owned and operated Gatz Insurance Agency of Jonesboro for over 40 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where he was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.

Robert was a member of the Jonesboro Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as Chairman of the Craighead County Republican Party for 14 years. He was a Past President of the Greater Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce and Past President of the Independent Insurers of Arkansas.

Robert was a U.S. Army veteran of W.W. II, serving in the South Pacific.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert, Sr. and Flora Gatz Davidson, and by a sister, Kathleen Bowers.

Survivors includeToni Young Davidson, his wife of 64 years;

His son and daughter-in-law: Dave and Connie Davidson of Jonesboro;

His daughter and son-in-law: Fran and Robin Robinson of Jonesboro, and his daughter, Ann Davidson Adams of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Jane Adams, Beth Bell, Jennifer Rorex, Meredith Carroll (Matt Carroll), Michael Davidson, Matt Rorex, and Will Bell; and

2 great grandchildren: Caleb Robert Carroll and Levi Rorex.

A funeral mass will be held Tuesday morning, February 2, 2010, at 10:00 at Blessed Sacrament Church with Father Richard Cleary officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Active pallbearers include: Michael Davidson, Matt Rorex, Matt Carroll, Will Bell, Robin Robinson and Mickey Bridger.

Honorary pallbearers include: Dewey Sifford, Bob Ferralasco, George DeRoeck, Chili Davis, Paul and Carolyn Black and members of the Knights of Columbus.

Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel with a Rosary service to follow.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Blessed Sacrament Church Building Fund, 614 S. Church, Jonesboro, AR 72401, Holy Angels Convent Retirement Fund, P.O. Drawer 130, Jonesboro, AR 72403, or St. Bernards Hospice, c/o St. Bernards Foundation, 400 East St., Jonesboro, AR 72401.