Ronald Wayne Davidson

Ronald Wayne Davidson I, after 92 years and a life marked by a tenacious pursuit of the Father of Heaven, passed away on the afternoon of July 21, 2025. He will be sorely missed by his eighty-six direct descendants and the many who loved and admired him. However, for Ronald, a devout follower of Christ, his greatest desire was to "go home" to the Father, and he has finally arrived. In this, his family rejoices with him.

Ronald was born to Geneva (Farris) and Robert Andrew Davidson on February 25, 1933. He grew into a hardworking and responsible young man, and on December 14, 1952, he married the love of his life, Velda Louise Stone. They were married two weeks shy of 68 years when she passed in November of 2020. He longed to see her till the very end.

Ronald and Velda have five children—all of whom survive. There are four sons and one daughter. They are: Ronald Wayne II (wife Patty); Ricky Duane (wife Joann); Rance Alan—all of Moberly; Robin Bell (wife Teresa) of Republic, Missouri; and Renee Dawn Wilson (husband William) of Springfield, Missouri. Ronald has twenty-one grandchildren, forty-one great grandchildren, and nineteen great, great grandchildren. He has preceded into the Kingdom with a rich and deep heritage.

Ronald has two surviving siblings: Terry of Dubois, Wyoming and Mark (wife Jan) of Washington, Illinois. He has six surviving in-laws—Verlena Davidson of Imperial, Missouri; Vonna and Jim Downs of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Dan Moss of Palmyra, Missouri, Jan Davidson of Washington, Illinois, and Janey Davidson of Moberly, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Katherine Sue, and two brothers—Robert Lee and Gerald Ray.

Ronald served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War from February 14, 1951 through October 26, 1953, prior to receiving a Honorable Discharge.  He deeply loved his country and was a proud veteran of its military. He was a long-time member of the American Legion.

Ronald spent most of his career as a railroad engineer first for Wabash, then Norfolk & Western, and finally for Norfolk Southern. He worked in that capacity for thirty-eight years. He was a member of NARVE (the railroad retirement organization) and served as its chaplain for several years.

Ronald was an active and committed member of Carpenter Street Baptist church from 1942 until his death. Many of those years, he served as a deacon for the church. He loved the church and vigorously served her as long as his strength endured. He was also a long-time member of the Gideons and relished distributing bibles as a member of that organization.

Ronald deeply loved his Lord, his family, his church, and his country. The centerpiece of his life was his relationship with Jesus Christ. It was his source of strength in each and every one of his endeavors.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Ronald's name to Gideons or St. Jude.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held at the Carpenter Street Baptist Church followed by funeral services honoring and celebrating Mr. Davidson’s life.

Military Honors and committal prayer took place at the Missouri State Veteran's Cemetery Shelter, Jacksonville, burial followed.