James Davison

Long time Yakima Valley resident, James R. Davison, 74, passed away in the company of his family at his residence in Toppenish on Saturday, September 5, 2015. Jim was born June 12, 1941 in Prosser, Washington to Ruth (Hill) and John Davison. In his youth, Jim grew up in Yakima with his mother Ruth and stepfather (Ward Strom) and also resided with his father John and stepmother (Della Davison) in Prosser. In his teenage years he spent his summers in Winthrop Washington living and working on his Uncle Al Hill’s ranch. Jim joined the United States Air Force shortly after graduating from high school. Jim and Margaret (Ermey) were married in Seattle on September 21, 1963 making their first home in Framingham Massachusetts. After being honorably discharged Jim and Margaret made their way back to Washington; Jim held various jobs before being commissioned as a Washington State Trooper in 1965. Jim left the patrol in 1977 and started a private security company. He also worked in the insurance industry. Jim and Margaret’s passion and vocation throughout their married life was in foster parenting; over the last 52 years they provided a safe home for over 50 foster children. Jim was proceeded in death by his parents and step-parents and his beloved Uncle Al. He leaves behind: Wife of 51 years Margaret (Ermey) Davison, sister Lona Lyle and husband Bill, Wasilla AK, sister, Judy Allen and husband Mike, Wrangle AK, brother Lynn Davison and wife Teresa, Benton City WA, sister Jan Hille and husband Ivan, Yakima WA; Daughter, Kimberly Shafer-Davison and companion Ray Allen, Norfolk, VA, son, Robert Davison and wife Audrey, Oak Harbor, WA, son Michael Davison and wife Annette, Snohomish, WA, son, Steven Davison and wife Erin, Bremerton, WA, son Isaiah Freeman-Davison, Yakima, WA; grandchildren Nicole, Joslyn, Steven, Matthew, Timothy, Lauran, James, Sally, Stephanie, Emily, Kyle, Katherine; six great-grandchildren; his faithful Air Force friend Bob Feest: And his Best-Man to the end, Brother-In-Law E. Fred Ermey. Memorial donations can be made to the Hospice of your choice. Recitation of the rosary will be held at 7pm on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Resurrection Catholic Church in Zillah. Mass of Christian burial will be at 2pm on Friday, September 11, 2015 at the Church. Burial will follow in the Zillah Cemetery. A Reception will be held at the church. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.valleyhillsfh.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Davison, please visit our flower store.