Thomas J. Davidson

Thomas J. Davidson, age 79, of Russellville, died Saturday, December 25, 2010 at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. He was born March 22, 1931 in Russellville to Thomas Jefferson Davidson II and Zerl Corrine Haney Davidson. He was a 1949 graduate of Russellville High School and attended Arkansas Tech University before entering the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War with the First Marine Division. He was the founder and co-owner of Tommy Davidson Trucking Company from 1956 to 1994, was a member of the American Legion Post # 20 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Rogers-Rye Post # 2283, and was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he served as an Elder for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Flint J. Davidson, and a sister, Melba Tolson. Survivors include his wife, Harriett Davidson; a daughter, Anna Lou Stewart of Russellville; four grandchildren, Dr. Sheri Swader and husband, Derek, of Cullman, Alabama, Heather McConnell and husband, Kerry, of White Oak, Texas, Dr. Gary Dobbs and Erica Mellick of Fairfax, Virginia and Senior Airman Thomas James Stewart and wife, Jessica, of Minot, North Dakota; three great-granddaughters, Emily Lou Swader, Avery G. Swader, and Keighley Esther McConnell; a great-grandson, Alexander M. Swader; two nephews, Judd Tolson and wife, Barbara, of Little Rock and Creed Tolson of Arkadelphia; a host of other relatives and friends and his faithful companion, "Semper Fi." The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at the First Christian Church officiated by the Rev. Dana Hoover. Burial with military honors provided by the United States Marine Corps will be in Oakland Cemetery by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Active pallbearers will be Gary Dobbs, Thomas James Stewart, Derek Swader, Kerry McConnell, Lyndon Reynolds and David Davidson. Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Stewart, Judd Tolson, Creed Tolson, Todd Sweeden, Mike Sisson, Bob Jacimore and Ray Griffin. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 103 South Boston Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas 72801. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.