Mr. John Carlos Davidson Jr.

Americus, GA Mr. John Carlos "Jack" Davidson Jr., age 84, passed away peacefully on the evening of Jan. 24, 2024, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, after battling Multiple Sclerosis for more than 50 years. Jack had resided at the Magnolia Manor Nursing Center for the past 20 years. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 16, 2024 in the chapel of Aldridge Funeral & Cremation Services. Rev. Mike Truitt will officiate the service. The family will greet friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 P.m. in the funeral home chapel. A committal service with military honors will follow in the Andersonville National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. The son of John Carlos Davidson Sr. and Alice Elizabeth Davidson, Jack Davidson was born in Washington DC on August 17th, 1939. But he was reared in Arlington, VA, where both sides of his family had strong ties to the northern Virginia area, most notably, the family's farm in Waterford, VA, where some of Jack’s favorite childhood memories took place. "Action Jackson," as Ken affectionally called him later in life, had many fond stories of his early youth on this farm. You name it, and they grew it or raised it there. No doubt, it’s there where he learned to hunt, shoot and fish, and he remained an avid outdoorsman for as long as his health would allow. When Jack was a young teen, the entire family moved to Chappaqua, NY where Jack continued to enjoy a storied childhood. He attended Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua and excelled in football, track and academics. His contagious personality awarded him with many lifelong friendships from this time and that list of friends only grew when Jack attended Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. At Lehigh, he served as President of the class of 1961 during his sophomore, junior and senior years, and was the rushing chairman of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity. Jack and those brothers shared adventures through their 50th reunion and beyond. Jack was ROTC out of college, so he traveled down to Columbus, GA to fulfill his commitment to his country at Ft Benning, now Ft Moore. Jack was the president of the officers club and retired as a First Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne. This is where Action Jackson refined his tenacity for life and it’s also when he would meet the mother of his children, the love of his life, Judy Davis. The two were married within six months of meeting and enjoyed a wonderful life traveling around Europe and both were avid outdoor enthusiasts. Jack and Judy loved to fish together and they both had a love for Labrador retrievers. They also enjoyed many sunsets and moon rises. In fact, it wasn’t long after seeing a spectacular Red Hunters Moon that their daughter Kathryn was born. Ken would follow five years later. With his military commitments behind him, Jack turned the BBA he had earned at LeHigh into a successful career in advertising and marketing. He would go on to be the Vice President of Marketing for several Fortune 500 companies over many years and across many states. That career would eventually take him to South Florida where, now divorced, Jack's MS, which he had successfully hidden for many years, began to become more burdensome. Despite having MS, and a whole host of adjoining issues, Jack would often say, "I'm flying straight up!" Or, "Hey, Cowboys don't cry!" Action Jackson was a constant example of bravery and poise, until the day he died. Jack and his beloved son and Caregiver, Ken Davidson, moved to Americus in 1997. Together they faced Jack’s illness with dignity, and shared a profound love for one another. They made a pact to face that disease together and moved into their home in Americus. In 2004, a terrible fire made the house inhabitable. After the fire, it was with great regret that Ken had to tell Jack it was time to move him into the nursing home. Although not thrilled about the move, in six short months, Jack was calling the Magnolia Manor his own personal spa! In true Action Jackson fashion, he became the President of the residents council and even grew huge tomato plants and shared the fruits, just as his father had done back home in the Chesapeake Bay area. Jack enjoyed helping others and he never met a stranger. He was an author, a painter and, most importantly, a friend to all who met him. He was always ready for a good time, a good meal and a good story. His powers of positivity were undeniable and unwavering, much like his love for his family and especially the love he had for his son and daughter. Despite a broken body, he never complained a day in his life. Jack is survived by his beloved son, Ken Davidson of Americus; his loving daughter, Kathryn Stricklin of Smyrna, GA; his sister, Diane Davidson and her son, RW Smith, of San Francisco, CA; his brother and sister-in law, Peter and Fran Davidson, nephews: including Pete Davidson and his two children, Satchel and Casey Davidson, and niece, Sarah Denyer and her twins Logan and Kieran Denyer, all of Chappaqua, NY; and first cousin, good friend and matriarch of the collective "Virginia Family," Gene Bright McIntosh. Jack is also survived by numerous brothers of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity, as well as dearest friends Joel Mandell, David Young and Hans Conser. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Jack Davidson Family Memorial Rescue Fund at the Americus Veterinary Hospital 1037 Fetner Dr Americus, GA 31709 or call 229 924 6146 for instructions or contribute to the Family directly to cover expenses. 2023 was very hard on the family and they would appreciate any help given. Please contact Ken Davidson at 229-938-4753 or mail donations to 132 Brannon Ave Americus, GA 31709. To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family please visit aldridgefuneralservices.com Aldridge Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of these arrangements.

Mr. John Carlos Davidson Jr.

August 17, 1939 - January 24, 2024