Waid J. Davidson

Waid J. DavidsonCorpus Christi, TXWaid J. Davidson was born November 5, 1928, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and passed peacefully on November 8, 2015, at his home on Padre Island. He is survived by his adored wife of 66 years, Judy Ettinger Davidson, and their four children: Robert W. Davidson of Houston, Dana L. Baker of Fort Worth, Kirk W. Davidson of Austin, and Abigail A. Kinsman of Corpus Christi. Mr. Davidson is also survived by two sisters, Jeanne Stephen and Diane Pena of Phoenix, Arizona, nine grandchildren, and two great grandsons.Mr. Davidson met his beloved wife Judy in high school and they were married in 1949. In 1951, Mr. Davidson received his Bachelor's Degree in actuarial science from Drake University, became a 'fellow' of the Society of Actuaries, and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries - following in his father's footsteps who was also an actuary and 1925 graduate of the University of Iowa actuarial science program.Mr. Davidson was employed by the Equitable Life Insurance Company as an actuarial student. He joined Pan American Life in New Orleans in 1954. In 1959, Mr. Davidson joined the United States Life Insurance Company of New York as Associate Actuary. In 1962, he was appointed Vice President at Lamar Life of Jackson, Mississippi, and in 1964 joined the actuarial consulting firm of Bowles and Tillinghast responsible for their Dallas office where he was also a member of the firm's Board of Directors. Mr. Davidson was appointed Vice President at Southland Life Insurance Company in Dallas in 1971 where he was responsible for actuarial, underwriting, claims, and computer systems operations.In 1977, Mr. Davidson rejoined Tillinghast as manager of their Dallas office. In the mid-1980's Tillinghast was acquired by the international consulting firm of Towers Perrin where Mr. Davidson remained until his retirement in 1990.Mr. and Mrs. Davidson moved from Dallas to Corpus Christi in 1991 and built their home on Padre Island. Following retirement, Mr. Davidson was President of Glacier National Life Assurance Company of Vancouver, Canada, and in 1994 was appointed president of Shannon Life Insurance Company. His goal for both organizations was to resolve financial and operational problems and sell the companies as part of the divestiture plan of the owner -- Service Corporation International of Houston, Texas.In recent years, Mr. Davidson has been semi-retired providing a limited amount of actuarial consulting. He maintained his position on the board of directors at Colonial Security Life Insurance in Dallas, Texas, until his death. His professional achievements include development of early universal life policies, co-authoring a text book on the subject, evaluating life insurance company mergers, acquisitions, purchasing accounting, federal income tax, and often appearing as an expert witness. Mr. Davidson was well known for his passionate anti-smoking rhetoric which originated after his early career research into life insurance premium discounts for non-smokers.Mr. Davidson's true love was his wife Judy. His family was his joy. He was a brilliant, witty man with a huge heart who will live in our memories forever.To view tribute, please visit www.seasidefuneral.com.