James Edward Davidson of Katy, age 70, died Saturday, January 28, 2023, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Jim was born in Flint, Michigan on May 13, 1952. He married Keiko Yamasaki on August …
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James Edward Davidson of Katy, age 70, died Saturday, January 28, 2023, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Jim was born in Flint, Michigan on May 13, 1952. He married Keiko Yamasaki on August 1, 1981, and they moved to Houston the same month. He graduated from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Arts in 1974 and a Master of Arts in Education in 1981. He later earned a mid-management certificate at Prairie View A&M University.
Jim served as a teacher, coach, and school administrator for over 35 years, the majority of which was dedicated to Katy ISD. He coached soccer, football, and swimming, taught AP English & AP US History, and served as an assistant principal for 20 years. He said that public education was the great equalizer, the place that leveled the playing field of opportunity. He loved the power of potential and believed in incremental change. He loved the kids; he said he understood them since he was a kid at heart. During his career, he was very active in the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches, including serving as treasurer. In 2004 Jim was recognized as the Region 4 ESC recipient of the Outstanding Principal award from the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.
Jim was very active in his church and served on the Holy Spirit Episcopal School Board of Directors, as a delegate to the Diocesan Council, as well as several other volunteer ministries.
In retirement, Jim continued his public service as a committee member and investor in the Katy ISD Education Foundation.
Jim loved playing club soccer, starting as a founding member of the Flint Sports Soccer Club in the late 1960s and continuing to play and referee for decades thereafter. He was also an active member of the Space City Radio Control Airplane Club.
Jim was a masterful storyteller, a sign of a life well-lived. He could hold court with just a few and could make an auditorium roar. He lived out loud with his beloved, lifelong friends. Decades of their shared experiences were a wellspring of source material. Jim had integrity; he was a rare individual with unwavering principles guided by a loving heart. He was honest, fair, and direct, and he had a deep and abiding faith in God. Jim took up a lot of space in many people’s hearts and will be missed by many.
Jim was devoted to his family and is survived by Keiko, his beloved wife of 41 years; his children, Christopher, and Carolyn (Andy) Bauerschlag; his grandson Benjamin; his brother William, sisters Alice Davidson and Martha Warburton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his son, Benjamin Joseph; his parents, The Reverend Canon F. Robert & Constance Davidson; and his brother, John C. Davidson.
A visitation will be held on Friday, February 10th from 4:00-7:00 pm at Schmidt Funeral Home on 1344 W. Grand Parkway in Katy. The funeral service will be on Saturday, February 11th at 9:30 am at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church on 12535 Perthshire Road in Houston. The Reverend Josh Condon is officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church Endowment Fund.