Byron “Bud” W. Davidson

- – An obituary is typically a recap of a person’s life, after they have passed away. This is not a typical obituary. Byron W. Davidson (Buddy - Bud) was born September 2, 1934 in Lincoln Nebraska. He passed away peacefully, just two weeks shy of his

84th birthday. This is not about how popular he was at Osborn Elementary School or how talented he was not in art class or was as team manager at

North Phoenix High School. Or how many Insurance Industry and community Boards he sat on.

This is about a skinny young boy who grew up to be a man much loved and admired by his friends, his family, his employees, his peers, and even his competitors.

To sum up Bud Davidson in a few words, his father, Dean S. Davidson, taught him that all he needed to do was follow The Ten Commandments and he would be a good man. He taught him that to succeed in business, he must learn to type. And he taught him that “If you are only fifteen minutes early, you are late.”

From the day he came home from the hospital, he was “Buddy.” In college, he answered also to “Bud.” The remainder of his life, anyone calling him Byron was dismissed, hung up upon or simply ignored.

As Bud grew, he became a Boy Scout. In high school he volunteered to be a counselor at Hi-Y Camp. When he was 17, he was selected by then City Councilman, Barry Goldwater and his brother Bob, to float down on the un-dammed Colorado River. It was one of the most life altering experiences he encountered.

At the University of Arizona he joined Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, became a Bobcat, was on Traditions Committee, and was in charge of the Wildcats’ card stunts. Bud became the first Graduate of the U of A with a BA degree in Insurance.

Bud joined U S Army reporting for duty at Fort Ord on the California Coast. With his typing skills, he avoided Basic Training and became the Company Clerk. He would tell anyone he could, “War was hell in Carmel.” Golf on Pebble Beach; tending bar at the Officers Club. Upon discharge as a Specialist Fourth Class, Bud returned to his family business, Dean S. Davidson Insurance.

In 1960, Bud married Sande Chiate Davidson. They built their family of two adopted sons, Keith Jarett Davidson and Gary Douglas Davidson.

Bud worked diligently to grow the insurance agency and he rose to the top of the industry, accepting the Lifetime Award from the Arizona Insurance Association. He introduced comprehensive Property Casualty and Benefits programs to sell to large groups of dentists, doctors or jewelers who would benefit from the dynamic of group underwriting.

When his partners, his sister Norma and brother-in-law, Ken Sadick were ready to retire, Bud bought them out and grew his agency into a business that much larger national agencies were interested in acquiring He was pursued and eventually chose to join a Florida based agency which later was acquired by Brown and Brown Insurance, Inc. Bud served in the insurance industry for 60 years, retiring on the anniversary of his entrance into that world.

Business was not his only pursuit. He was a leader in Indian Guides and Boy Scouts. He enjoyed bowling, golf, tennis, hand ball, jogging, working out. He was one of the first to buy season tickets to the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, and the Fiesta Bowl. He was a talented photographer and took many trips with Arizona Highways and National Geographic magazine professional photographers. He and Sande began traveling and eventually visited all seven continents. His favorite places in the world were anywhere on safari in Africa and relaxing at Kona Village on the Big Island in Hawaii...although, his favorite stop-over en-route to anywhere in the world was London.

Bud was proud to be a past-president of Phoenix Country Club. Ultimately, his favorite pastime became hanging out every morning for breakfast with his buddies and gal pals at The Club. After, he would go to his “office,” that Brown and Brown held for him, despite being retired.

Wishing to give back to the community he loved, Bud supported many charitable and civic organizations and gave his time serving on their Boards of Directors and donating generously through the Davidson Family Foundation. Among them were: 100 Club of Arizona, Valley Big Brothers, Community Organization of Drug Abuse Control (CODAC), Orpheum Theater Foundation, COMPAS, Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Ryan House, UMOM, Phoenix Country Club Foundation, Elevate Phoenix, Feeding Matters, T-Gen, and many more.

Bud was preceded in death by his Father, Dean S. Davidson; Mother, Jeannette Davidson; Sister and Brother-in-law, Norma and Ken Sadick; Niece, Judy Sadick More; Mother-in-law, Gladys Chiate-Fagan-Green; Sisters-in-law Dianna Chiate Lynn and StacyAnn Chiate Strauss.

He leaves behind his wife of nearly 58 years, Sande; his son, Keith Davidson (Juli); son, Gary Davidson; Grandchildren, Lauren and Max Davidson; Niece, Linda Sadick Furman; Nephew Jonathon Lynn (Jamie); Great Nephew Brendon Lynn and many, many cousins and friends.

The outpouring of condolences from people all over the United States, and countries afar, demonstrates the impact he had on so many people, at so many levels and stages of life. He loved people and was loved by many as well. A common term attributed to Bud is “mentor.”

It has been said,“A good name endures forever.” For our family, that name is Bud!

In lieu of flowers, Bud would have liked you to donate to 100 Club of Arizona 333 N. 44th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008; Elevate Phoenix, 3750 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85019; Jewish National Fund, 78 Randall Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY., 11570 or to the USO, PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 22 at 10:00 AM at Temple Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona.