Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Harry Dale “Dave” Davidson

Sgt. 1^st Class (Ret.) Harry Dale “Dave” Davidson died peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at the age of 69.  His wife of thirty-three years, Bonnie, was at his side.  He was born on January 5, 1954, to Chief and Polly Davidson in Austin, Indiana.  He attended Austin High School where he was a track and field star athlete, setting school records that to this day remain unbroken.

Davidson began his exemplary career in the United States Army at the age of nineteen.  Among his postings, he served as Section Chief of the 7^th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Germany and Korea. He served as Platoon Sergeant of the 11^th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas.  Davidson served in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates as an Instructor, teaching foreign students how to operate the HAWK missile air defense system.  Throughout his decorated military career, Davidson would serve as HAWK Missile Crew Chief, Section Sergeant, and Missile Instructor.  Davidson was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal (Fourth Award), Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal (Second Award), and the Saudi Arabia Liberation of Kuwait Medal for his service during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.  Davidson’s superiors wrote many letters of commendation, describing him as “highly professional, selfless, and of the highest caliber.”  The leadership, professionalism, and drive he refined in the Army would serve him equally in his civilian life, where he worked in security postings with Wackenhut Security before ultimately retiring from Elbit Systems.

Upon retirement, Davidson enjoyed time with beloved friends and family, Washington Redskins Football, and spending time with his dear Army brothers, Larry Brooks (Lorna), Jim Livesay (Nancy), and the late James Lonaker (Tonette).

Davidson is survived by his wife, Bonnie; sons, Rickey Dale Davidson, Sr. (Sandra), James Dale Barnett (Patricia), and Joseph Daniel Barnett (Amanda); daughters, Lia Veatch (Thomas) and Linda Beckman (David); grandchildren, Rickey Dale Davidson, Jr., Kayleigh Davidson, Ashlie Upchurch (Jesse), Amber Moore, J Paul Scott III, Lewis Jones, Kyle Hunnicutt, Courtney Jones, Joshua and Johnathan Mattix, Breanna Steadham, and James Thomas; sisters, Catherine Taylor, Viola Gay, and Glenna Saylor; ten great-grandchildren; and extended family members, Lou-Ann Morris and Cherie Davidson.

Davidson is preceded in death by his parents, Chief and Polly Davidson; daughter, Charlotte Vandervoort; son, Michael Mattix; and brother, Grover Davidson.

Memorial service: 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 17, 2023, at Heritage Baptist Church, 400 Davidson Street, Benbrook, Texas 76126.

Committal service with military funeral honors: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 18, 2023, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.