Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Ralph Davison Obituary
SPRINGFIELD - Ralph S. Davison, 86, a resident of Springfield since 1970, died at 12:34 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at his home.
He was born Feb. 8, 1921, in Danville, the son of Ralph F. and Rosamond S. Scroggs Davison. He married Aimee McCormick of Mobile, Ala., in 1954; she preceded him in death in 1985. He married Shirley Bartlett of Baton Rouge, La., in 1987. His parents and two sisters, Ellen Menichetti and Delores Morris, also preceded him in death.
In 1969 and 1970, Mr. Davison was employed by G.E. in Houston as an engineer on the Apollo Program. From 1970, until retiring in December 2006, he was employed by the state of Illinois with the Division of Aeronautics as a state contracts manager.
He was a graduate of Danville High School in 1939 and attended Millikin University in 1946 and 1947. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in 1950. He was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity (social) at both Millikin and Georgia Tech.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from early 1942 until early 1946 and flew combat operations with the 92nd Bomb Group (8th AF) from England, completing 28 combat missions. He was recalled in December 1950 and, during the next 17 years, served at Great Falls, AFB, Mont.; Korea (21st TC Squadron); Brookley AFB, Mobile, Ala.; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; and Patrick AFB/Cape Canaveral, Fla. He retired in 1969 from Patrick AFB. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal (10OLC), Medal for Distinguished Acts (Greece), the unit Citation (2OLC) and numerous theater and campaign medals.
He was a member of the 92nd USAAF/USAF Memorial Association, 364th Fighter Group Association, Selman Field Historical Association, Retired Officers Association, Scottish Clan Davidson (both U.S. and U.K.), Scottish Clan Chattan (both U.S. and U.K.), the St. Andrews Society of Central Illinois, First United Methodist Church, Nighthawks Dance Club and Sangamo Club.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley Davison of Springfield; daughter, Aimee (husband, Mark) Haynes of Maryville; son, Paul (wife, Georgia) Davison of Perry, Ga.; and four grandchildren, Aimee and Ryan Haynes and Melinda (husband, Matt) Hooper and Christopher Davison.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, at Central Baptist Church. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008, at Central Baptist Church, with military honors conducted by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and with Dr. Reg Mills officiating. Private burial in Baton Rouge, La., at a later date.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
StaabObituary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Davison
Mireille Brosset
January 7, 2024
Sorry I just found this on January 7th but I want to tell his children and grandchildren that we met in Monroe at the Selma´s Field reunion where I volunteered and where my husband participated as a minister. We seems to stay in touch whenever he and his wife Shirley came close to Monroe, Louisiana and we found Ralph a very dedicated person we counted as a friend. He still is missed and will lights heaven with all the others who fought in wars to keep our freedom. As a small child in France when he served in combat missions I want to thank his family for his heroic missions which brought an end to this awful war.
My deep condoléances to his loved ones. Mireille Brosset from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Diane Kenney Handler
February 9, 2008
Dear Aimee and family:
I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your father. My thoughts are with you in this time of sadness.
IDOT - Division of Aeronautics
February 8, 2008
(please see photo)
Cheryl Roberts
February 8, 2008
Oh my dear lovely Shirley, how blessed you are to have known, married, and loved such an awesomely wonderful man. I/We are so sorry for your loss. I know he will be sorely missed. Be blessed in the knowledge of God's everlasting promises of glorification and an eternal home in his light. I love you and feel your pain. Please call me if you need a shoulder to cry on and a warm heart to listen to your memories.
Your friend from JLS
Phil Morris
February 7, 2008
Shirley, I am so sorry to learn of Ralph's passing. I wish I had known that he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. I could have told him that we were brothers as I, too, am a Delta Sig.
Calvin and Mary Grace McMurray
February 7, 2008
Ralph was such a fine person and made it so easy to be his friend, he will be missed by both of us. We had so looked forward to sharing the view of the mountains from our little corner of the world with Ralph. We will now look forward to sharing the vista and our fond memories with our beloved Shirley. Our prayer is for a joyous reunion of the two of them in the eternities.
Carrie Jones
February 7, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you. You have my deepest sympathy.
From a friend at IDOT
Wanda de Cordova
February 7, 2008
Dear Shirley,
My heart goes out to you. You are my very dearest friend. Wish Jim and I could be with you at this time, but too many miles are in the way. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please accept this expression of sympathy from us. We love you.
Jim and Wanda
Cindy Lash
February 7, 2008
Oh, Shirley, I was so sorry to learn of your husband's death. You know my heart ... please know I am remembering you and your family at this time of great loss. I regret that I am not in town to come to his visitation. My prayers are with you.
Pat Graves
February 7, 2008
Shirley, Again Gary and I send our sincerest sympathy to you and your family. Sorry we cannot be there on Saturday but we will see you when we get home from Florida. Gary and Pat Graves
Anna Minkina
February 7, 2008
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father Ralph. I know the pain you are going through in the loss of a loved one. I hope all the good memories will comfort you at this time of sorrow. My prayers, thoughts, and love are with you and the whole family.
With deepest sympathy,
Love, Anna Marie Minkina
Kathy Dehen
February 7, 2008
Shirley:
I was so sorry to read about the death of your husband. I hope that your many happy memories of him will help you at this time. We are hosting an all day conference for the Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana leagues on Saturday so I may not make it to the visitation but I did want you to know I was thinking of you.
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bohle
February 7, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. As time passes by, on difficult days, remember to pause and close your eyes for a moment. Somehow, sweet memories will sustain you.
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Ralph Davison's name
Memorial Events
for Ralph Davison
How to support Ralph's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ralph Davison's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
