JOSEPH “JAKE” LEONARD DAVIDSON, JR.
09/04/1930 - 10/02/2023
Joseph “Jake” Leonard Davidson, Jr., a native Houstonian, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, the 2nd of October 2023. He was 93 years of age.
He was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. Jake leaves his family rich in vivid memories, hours of laughter, and an inspiring legacy of independence, hard work, honesty, and dedication to family.
Jake was born at Memorial Hospital in downtown Houston on the 4th of September 1930, to Joseph Leonard Davidson, Sr. and LaVeta Lowe Davidson. As a toddler and small child, he lived in Palembang, Sumatra, where his first language was Malay and his first memory was the haircut given by his father on a tree stump and with a pocket knife. His father’s job as a geophysicist allowed a young Jake and his family to live in 10 southeastern Asian countries before the age of 9. The family returned to Houston in 1939 via cargo ship with his father’s two pet ringtail monkeys, Jimmy and Sally, and a Burmese python who became three of the early residents at the Houston Zoo. Jake graduated from Lamar High School in 1949.
Jake attended the University of Houston briefly and then joined the Air Force, serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Korean War. Upon honorable discharge, he returned to Oklahoma A&M and then hitchhiked his way to The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied geology and competitive ping pong.
Jake worked for one full-time employer, Elmdahl Engineering, as an oil and gas engineer before becoming Glen McCarthy’s one and only apprentice and then beginning his lifelong, successful career as an independent oil and gas operator.
He was well-known in the industry for his handshake contract, integrity and knowledge. His professional legacies are the many successful oilmen he quietly mentored along the way.
A lifelong outdoorsman, Jake did it all. He excelled as a fisherman, yacht captain, rancher, sharpshooter, handyman, storyteller, Gulf Coast conservationist, and a volunteer forester. What he did not enjoy was “getting old.” A child at heart, Jake fought the idea very hard, but he was ready when it came. At 6’ 5”, he stood tall in his convictions and was a reassuring figure to everyone who learned to value his steady judgement and sense of humor. Never a man of too many words, Jake always meant what he said, and said what he meant. Above all else, he was a dedicated family man and a faithful, steadfast servant of God. He attended St. Cecilia Catholic Church with his wife and family where he enjoyed the music and the jokes of Father Francis. His family admired his tender devotion to his wife every day of their fifty-one year marriage.
Jake was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janice Sobotik Davidson; his daughter Martha Davidson Schlesselman and husband David of Wheaton, IL; daughter Kristi Davidson Johnson and husband Michael of Houston; daughter Julie Davidson of Houston; He was the proud grandfather of four grandchildren: Christopher Thompson, Evan Groll (Holly), Lauren Johnson Miller (Stephen), and Paige Johnson Maffett (Tanner); and three greatgrandchildren: Lincoln and Austin Miller, Tatum Jake Maffett; and great-grandson on the way, Oliver Maffett. Jake is also survived by his three siblings, Harriett Cunningham, Mary Gwynne Rideout, and Charlie Davidson (Bonnie) and numerous devoted nieces, nephews, and cousins. He loved his family above all else.
A memorial mass will be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 13th of October, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church 11720 Joan of Arc, in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be announced during the service.
The family will gather for a private inurnment at a later date.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that any memorial contributions be sent to Jake’s favorite charity, The Salvation Army, 6150 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77081; or a charity of one’s choice.
Please visit Jake’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.