Walter Eugene Davidson

Walter Eugene Davidson, age 91, went to meet his Lord and Savior face to face on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Coryell Community Church. A gathering for family and friends will immediately follow the service at the church.

Walter was born on February 28, 1934 in Gatesville, Texas to the late Eura Augusta "Gus" Davidson and Stella Mae Mings Davidson. The doctor (his uncle, Walter William Blankenship) who was delivering Walter told his father that he was going to lose both his wife and baby. The doctor said he would try to save Stella Mae because they had two other children, but Gus said that he would pray and ask the doctor to try to save them both. Walter's father prayed fervently for God to protect his wife and unborn child. As his father prayed, he vowed to give the child back to God to use all the days of his life if He would just save him. God did so and both Stella Mae and Walter survived the birth. He was reared in a Christian home, accepted Jesus as his Savior and was baptized at the age of 12 at Pecan Grove Baptist Church. Walter enjoyed his friends and sports and was elected homecoming king his senior year. He graduated from Gatesville High School in 1952. God called Walter to preach at the age of 18 at a revival under the tabernacle at White Mound Baptist Church. This is when his father told him of his prayer asking God to let him live.

He began his education at Southwest Baptist College, obtaining an associate’s degree in 1954, and then enrolled at Baylor University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in 1957. That same year he entered Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary but chose to pursue evangelistic work and returned in 1965, graduating in 1966.

Walter enjoyed preaching and being a traveling evangelist for many years prior to meeting the love of his life, Patricia Brittain. When he first asked her out on a date, she said no, because he was too old for her. He was not a man who would easily give up. He again asked Patricia out, and that time she said yes! Three months later, on June 3, 1961, they were married. Walter pastored various churches during the early years of their marriage. While at First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Texas a deacon, who was a doctor, mentioned the possibility of Walter and Pat adopting a baby that was soon to be born. They said yes and their daughter, Rebecca, was born on March 8, 1969. About 20 months later, they were called by the same doctor from Cleveland about a baby soon to be delivered. On December 19, 1970, Hollie was born. They were busy parents of two, but God being a God of humor and joy, thought they needed one more! During the week after Hollie was born, Pat found out she was pregnant. David was born on August 19, 1971. Needless to say, their family was complete and life was busier than ever for Walter and Pat!

During their marriage, they suffered through many challenges. Their parents and two brothers died, they also lost their home twice to floods and once to a fire, but they never lost faith in God providing for their every need. Walter and Pat’s faith carried them through life’s journey of highs and lows, and that legacy will continue to encourage family and friends for years to come.

Walter’s life work was being a “soul winner for Jesus” with over 60 years of pastoral ministry and four years of evangelistic ministry. He pastored many churches including Fredonia Baptist Church, Hasting Baptist Church, First Baptist Oglesby, LaJunta Baptist Church, Main Street Baptist Church, Ferguson Road Baptist Church, First Baptist Cleveland, Bay Area First Baptist Church, Faith Baptist Church, Coryell Community Church and New Hope Community Church. He preached more than 300 revivals across 20 states and in countries including Denmark, Brazil, Russia, Kazakhstan, Israel, Jordan, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. He served as President of the Alaska Baptist Convention and as a board member for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Board.

He left behind a legacy of following his heart for Jesus through his spiritual gifts: of evangelism by loving people into the family of God, of leadership by leading people into living lives devoted to Jesus, and of faith by living a life led by the Holy Spirit. Walter loved his wife and children, but most of all, he loved Jesus. He wanted everyone to know “the Friend that sticks closer than a brother, is the One who will never leave you or forsake you.”

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Walter Davidson; and two brothers, Gus Jr. and Johnny.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Pat Davidson; daughters, Rebecca Flynt and husband, Ron and Hollie Jones and husband, Philip; grandchildren, Justin Floyd, Mason Jones and, wife, Caitlin, Brandon Floyd, Anna Davidson, Sydney Jones and fiancé, Nick Hall, and Ty Davidson; niece, Sherre Davidson; nephews, Ken Davidson, Rodney Davidson and wife, Emily, and Jimmy Davidson and wife, Susie; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Memorials may be made to continue the work he started at Coryell Community Church, 115 N. Levita Rd, Gatesville, Texas 76528 or to the charity of your choice.