TITLE: Recognizing Donald Gene Davidson on the occasion of his 95th birthday.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Donald Gene Davidson on the occasion of his 95th birthday.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The 95th birthday of an esteemed member of the Greatest Generation is indeed cause for celebration, and Donald Gene Davidson of Brenham is marking this milestone in his life on December 7, 2023; and WHEREAS, The son of Mary Pauline and William Davidson, Don Davidson was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1928; he served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division at the end of World War II, taking part in the occupation of Japan; after receiving his honorable discharge, he earned his bachelor's degree in industrial management at Oklahoma State University; he wed the former Patricia "Patsy" Sue Paschall on June 1, 1950, and they became the proud parents of a son, Greg; through the years, their treasured family grew to include a daughter-in-law, Donna Garcia Davidson, and a granddaughter, Mary Grace Davidson; Mr. and Mrs. Davidson shared a fulfilling 64-year relationship until her passing in 2015; and WHEREAS, Mr. Davidson began his career with Standard Oil of Indiana, and in the late 1950s, he was involved in opening up new oil fields in the U.S. and the Persian Gulf; switching to the aerospace industry in the 1960s, he worked on the Polaris, Ranger, and Minuteman programs for Hercules Powder Company in Salt Lake City and on the design and testing phase of Apollo Lunar Excursion Module components for Brown Engineering Company; later, he returned to the energy sector and helped to establish a communication platform along the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline; he retired from Atlantic Richfield Company in 1986 to focus on raising Longhorn cattle at Grand Ranch; in addition, he had two other family businesses, Mail Courier Express and Pee Dee Patterns, where he was both owner and artist; he also starred in Walking Away,an award-winning independent movie; and WHEREAS, A prolific author, Mr. Davidson wrote a novel about the Greatest Generation, as well as a 670-page history of the Davidson family, tracing it from 14th Century Scotland to modern America; he has been an active blogger for 15 years, recording his insights in "The View from Grand Ranch: The Ramblings and Ruminations of an Octogenarian"; very active in the Republican Party, he has served as an election judge and precinct worker; he maintained his vigorous fitness regimen well into his 90s; and WHEREAS, Respected and admired by all who are privileged to know him, Don Davidson may reflect with great satisfaction on a lifetime of achievement, and it is a pleasure to join his friends and loved ones in honoring him on this memorable occasion; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby congratulate Donald Gene Davidson on his 95th birthday and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Mr. Davidson as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate. Kolkhorst President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on October 31, 2023.