James B. Davidson Jr.

James "Jim" B. Davidson, Jr. 73, passed away, September 5, 2024, at his home in Myrtle Beach, SC.
He was born September 15, 1950, in Richmond, VA a son of the late James Barrie and Christine Albonese Davidson.
Jim was a native of Leonia, NJ and a proud citizen of Dumont, NJ for 38 years. He relocated to Myrtle Beach with his beloved wife, Barbara to enjoy their retirement. He devoted over 4 decades of his life to the education, coaching and mentorship of student-athletes, serving as a Physical Education teacher at Leonia Middle School for 43 years. He was the head coach of Leonia High School Varsity Baseball Team for over 30 years, teaching the game to countless players. In 1991, Jim led the Leonia Lions to their first league championship in 68 years, for which he was named the "coach of the year." He also served as the Head Coach Football Coach for both Leonia High and Dumont High Varsity teams and had the honor of coaching his two sons. Jim also helped lead the River Dell Golden Hawks to a New Jersey varsity football state championship as an invaluable member of their coaching staff. An avid, if amateur golfer, voracious reader, and true cinephile; one of Jim's greatest joys was sharing his passions with his sons and grandsons, in whom these same pursuits have taken root.
Survivors include his cherished wife of 42 years, Barbara Harper Davidson, whom he met as his teaching partner in 1978 of Myrtle Beach, SC; two sons, Spencer James Davidson and wife, Nicole, and Travis Harper Davidson; two sisters, Dr. Jeanne Davidson Booth and husband, Aubrey and Barbara Davidson Davis and husband, John; grandchildren, Grant Anders Davidson, and Erik James Davidson; numerous nieces and nephews; and great-grand nieces.
Throughout his life, he was called many different things-Jimmy, Jimbo, Dad, Grandad, Coach, Handsome Jim- but all who knew him shared a common love and respect for this good and decent man.
A celebration of life will be 11:00 am Saturday, October 19, 2024, at McMillan-Small Funeral Home with Dr. J. Kirk Lawton, Jr. officiating. The family will greet friends at the funeral home following the service.
In leu of flowers the family requests memorials to be made to www.stjude.org or to www.t2t.org.
An online guestbook is available by going to www.msfh.net
McMillan-Small Funeral Home is honored to serve the Davidson family.
"WE LOVE THE COACH!!"
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