James Allan Davidson

1939 - 2025

James Allan Davidson
January 1, 1939 - June 23, 2025
James Allan Davidson was born January 01, 1939, to Orville and Olive Davidson in Lakota, ND, where the family farmed for some time. He attended school in Lakota and later at Dakota Lutheran Academy in Minot, ND. He graduated from Concordia College MN, going on to gain a Master of Physics at University of Iowa under the tutelage of a famous professor, Dr James Van Allen ( for which the Van Allen Belts in space are named). Though science and reading were his main interests in life, he also liked farm work. He worked with dad and brother, Jerry, on the fields and doing chores. In later years he recalled with fondness the people on a Montana ranch he worked for during the summers of his teen years.
Jim enjoyed skiing, bicycling and traveling throughout the years. One notable bicycle trip was taken from Spokane, Washington to his mother's house in Williston, ND. It was quite an adventure, starting slowly but he made it and got his picture in the paper and an interview. Everyone in the family was amazed.
He lived in Washington, D.C. and worked for the government as an engineer for U.S. Naval Defense Dept and eventually with the U.S. State Department. He moved to a home in Alexandria ,VA, nearly 30 years ago where he retired eventually. He continued an active lifestyle bicycling, skiing and traveling. He enjoyed family and neighborhood get-togethers. He liked collecting books and discussed many topics of interest with friends and relatives. He could really hold a conversation and be enlightening and a joy to listen to.
Jim died June 23, 2025 in Falls Church VA (near Alexandria) of a heart attack. He is preceded in death by his father in 1963, sisters, Joan Smith and Marjorie Hauge in 2005, and mother, Olive (Dilland) Davidson in 2012, brother, Jerry Davidson in 2014 and niece, Sonja Smith in 2019.
He is survived by his sister Lynn Chase of Las Vegas, two nephews ,Wayne Hauge and David Smith, three nieces, Susan Nystuen, Sharon Kupper and Laura Bopes, and their children. Jim will be missed by all that knew him.. life long friends and neighbors of long standing..as well as all next of kin... new friends and extended family.
On Saturday, Sept. 06 at 1:30 p.m., there will be burial of ashes at the Trinity Church Cemetery (3 mi south of Tioga). A memorial reception will follow at the Senior Citizens Club, 17 Benson St. N, in Tioga. Any interested persons are welcome to attend.