In Memory of Leroy Davison, Jr.

Leroy Davison, Jr., age 84, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at the MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 21, 2019, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2019, with a Rosary Service 6:30 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.  The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Leroy Davison, the son of Leroy and Helen (Stevens) Davison, was born June 11, 1935, in Trenton, New Jersey. He grew up in the Cranbury, New Jersey area and received his education at Middlesex County Vocational & Technical High School graduating valedictorian of the class of 1954. After high school Leroy entered into a four-year apprenticeship program for carpentry. After finishing his apprenticeship, he worked for various contractors before beginning his 14-year employment with Princeton University. While employed at Princeton he worked in the carpenter shop and eventually the real estate shop.

On October 23, 1965, Leroy was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Ward in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hightstown, New Jersey. The couple was blessed with four children: James, Thomas, Edward and Helen. It was during a family vacation to Iowa to see Betty’s grandparents, that Leroy fell in love with Ida Grove and knew that is where he wanted to raise his family. The family moved to Ida Grove in 1976 and Leroy became a self-employed carpenter for 33 years. As an accomplished carpenter, Leroy’s work can be admired throughout businesses and homes in Ida County.

Leroy was a former member of the New Jersey National Guard, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and his numerous canoeing trips to the Boundary Waters of Canada. Leroy was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox because while attending one of their games, Ted Williams hit a home run. He also enjoyed watching Iowa and Iowa State play basketball and football on television.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Davison of Ida Grove, IA; sons James (Tammy) Davison of Freeland, MI and Thomas (Elizabeth) Davison of Bettendorf, IA; grandchildren Abby, Lindsay and Timothy Davison; sisters Carolyn Lee of Hightstown, NJ and Catherine Baker of Bristol, CT.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Helen Davison; son Edward Davison; daughter Helen Davison; granddaughter Emily Davison; sisters Miriam Maarberg and Doris Backes.

The family of Leroy would like to express their sincerest thanks to the staff of Horn Memorial Home Health for their excellent care and compassion during these last five years.