John Wesley Davidson

1929 - 2024

John Wesley Davidson
October 17, 1929 - February 18, 2024
John Wesley Davidson, San Antonio attorney, died on February 18th, 2024.

John was born in Childress, Texas, the son of John Clyde and Theresa B. Davidson, on October 17, 1929.
He grew up in Childress, southern Oklahoma, and in Wichita Falls, Texas, graduating from Wichita Falls Senior High School as valedictorian in 1948.

John attended the University of Texas in Austin, graduating in 1954 with a BA and LLB degrees and a commission in the United States Air Force Reserve. While at the university, he was a Plan II student, a member of Chi Phi social fraternity and member of Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Following graduation and marrying, John graduated from the USAF Judge Advocate General School of the Air University and served his reserve active duty commitment as a JAG officer with 3650th Military Training Wing at Sampson AFB, New York, ending his reserve as a Service Captain in 1960.

Following military service, John was an Assistant City Attorney in Dallas under legendary City Attorney Henry Kucera, leaving in 1960 to establish the first full time city attorney office in Abilene, Texas.

In 1964, John moved to San Antonio to join Sawtelle, Goode, Troilo, and Leighton law firm where he remained his entire work life, although the firm name changed through the years to its current name - Davidson Troilo Ream & Garza, P.C.

John spent his 70-year legal career practicing litigation, municipal and public utility law. His creed was "Be solution minded. Result Oriented." He was particularly proud of making new law, such as establishing San Antonio's right to require developers to pay for utility infrastructure inside their subdivisions and establishing the color red as a service mark. The former achievement led to a well-known local developer encouraging his lawyers to hire John to stop the litigation. The latter required Red Carpet realtors in San Antonio to shred their red jackets for white ones leaving Deanie Owens' 300 realtors as the only professionals in red coats.

John's fulfillment with municipal and public utility law are illustrated by various significant legal contributions including: acquiring land in downtown Dallas for Griffin Parkway and One Main Place; a modern city charter in Abilene; a robust electric system for Brownsville; the purchase of the electric systems of Kerrville and San Marcos from LCRA; the preservation of the electric systems of Brownfield, Floydada, Lubbock, and Tulia in West Texas; and the merger of the water and wastewater systems into now San Antonio Water System.
John was also active in the Dominion Homeowners Association, serving four years on its Board of Directors and he was very active in securing a commitment from Mayor Howard Peak to support a nearby fire station and overhead bridge at Dominion Drive both now serving Dominion. John also served on the Advisory Board of Governors of the Sonterra and Dominion Country Clubs.
In addition to considerable talent, skill, and dedication as an attorney, John was also a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, dedicated friend and mentor. John's loving wife of 53 years, Marcia Lee Davidson, predeceased him in 2008. Together, John and Marcia raised three children and enjoyed extensive travel and cruises, often with children and grandchildren, playing golf and Texas Longhorn football. They were members of Alamo Heights Methodist Church, the Covenant Presbyterian, and since 1983, the First Presbyterian Church. Following Marcia's death, John was miraculously blessed with the love and companionship of a second beautiful, gracious and talented wife, Eunise Hermes Davidson, now deceased, with whom he socialized and travelled extensively, throughout the world.

Surviving family members include his son Mark Davidson and wife Laura; son Alan Davidson; Granddaughters DeLana Mullins, Leslie Land husband Barrett, and Taylor Hayes and husband Tate; Great granddaughter Ainsley Mullins and Great grandson, Jack Mullins and Atreyu Wesley Land. His beautiful daughter Lynn Anderson predeceased John.

The family would also like to thank the following people: Elsie Coronado, Delia Jones, Deborah Johnson, Jessica Torres, Jim Macnak, and Deric Flores. We appreciate all you have done for Mr. D.

A visitation for John will be held Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. A funeral service will occur Friday, March 1, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (with reception to follow) at First Presbyterian Church, 404 N Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205.