James “Jim” D. Davidson Jr

November 8, 1942 - May 22, 2022

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St. Thomas Aquinas Center

535 West State St

West Lafayette, IN 47906

Friday 6/10, 2:00 pm

James (Jim) D. Davidson, Jr., 79, passed away on May 22nd at 7:50 PM.

Jim was the son of James D. Davidson Sr. and Mary Louise (Fitzpatrick) Davidson. He was born on November 8, 1942 in Gt. Barrington, MA. His younger brother, John Alan Davidson, lives in Lee, MA.

Jim attended public schools K-12, then went to Fairfield University in Connecticut where he received a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1964 and then the University of Notre Dame, where he received a master’s degree in 1966 and a PhD in 1969.

Jim became an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Purdue University in 1968 and taught there until he retired in 2009.

Jim met Anna Catherine Tassone who at the time was working in New York City. Jim and Anna were married in Anna’s hometown of Shinnston, WV, on June 12, 1971. The couple had two children: James Anthony “Jay” (wife Corina) Davidson of Chicago, IL and their two daughters (Lucy and Evelyn) and Theresa Louise “Terry” Davidson of Denver, CO and her two sons (Brady and Anthony). Jim was very proud of both Jay and Theresa.

Jim and Anna have loved all four of their grandchildren, visiting them as often as possible at their homes and at the family’s favorite vacation spot, Hilton Head Island, SC.

Jim had a very productive and fulfilling career. His research focused on religion and social inequality. He studied the sources and consequences of religious commitment, generational changes in the beliefs and practices of American Catholics, the history of religious stratification in the United States, and the dual role religious groups play in their communities, in some cases perpetuating social inequality and in others fostering social equality.

In addition to excelling in his own work, Jim tried to strengthen the organizations he belonged. With his colleague Roger Finke, and the support of other colleagues, Jim established a highly regarded program in the sociology of religion at Purdue. With Ron Elly, Tom Hull, and Don Nead, Jim played a leadership role in the survival, stability, and success of the Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM).

His research on changes in the Catholic Church and trends among American Catholics was considered exemplary, received numerous awards, and shifted attention from age-related to generation-related explanations of change. As this happened, Jim became a very popular keynote speaker at gatherings of bishops, religious educators, and other church leaders.

Jim was named A Distinguished Hoosier by Governor Mitch Daniels.

Jim also was an avid golfer, had four holes in ones, and was the co-author (with Tom Templin) of an influential article on the relative importance of various shots among professional golfers.

Jim and Anna were resident parishioners at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 10, 2022 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, 535 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you make a donation to Lafayette Urban Ministries (https://www.lumserve.org/donate-online/) or to a local charity of your choosing.

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

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St. Thomas Aquinas Center

535 West State St

West Lafayette, IN 47906

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Friday 6/10, 2:00 pm

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James (Jim) D. Davidson, Jr., 79, passed away on May 22nd at 7:50 PM. Jim was the son of James D. Davidson Sr. and Mary Louise (Fitzpatrick) Davidson. He was born on November 8, 1942 in Gt. Barrington, MA. His younger brother, John Alan Davidson, lives in Lee, MA. Jim attended public schools K-12, thenContinue Reading

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Ed and I were very sad to hear of Jim's passing. Ed always looked forward to having breakfast with Jim at Harold's diner every year at Hilton Head. We both enjoyed spending time with all of you at the pool as well. Ed will really miss Jim's conversations!

Dear Anna and loved ones, Thanks for the memories. I appreciated the information on Jim but what I remember most is his wit and easy going friendship. Memories not as a colleague but as a friend.

Jim was my major professor. Jim was a profoundly kind and decent man with incredible faith, integrity, and intellect. We all loved and respected him, and I will always remember how he invested in me. He always made me proud to be his student.

Our sincere condolences to Anna and Family, Our hearts are so saddened by the passing of Jim. We truly are blessed with the most wonderful memories of our visits with you and Jim. Who knew that having seats next to each other watching Boiler Basketball would have started a beautiful friendship lasting for decades. While our friendship started over basketball and football games, visits to see the games became secondary to visiting with Jim and Anna. Our conversations with Jim were like Colossians 4:6, always spoken with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person. Jim will always be remembered in our hearts for his wisdom, kindness, and faith. This makes him our Most Distinguished Hoosier.

I was fortunate to have met the Davidson Family back in the 80's when they came to live in Northern Virginia (Arlington, to be exact) so that Jim could teach at Catholic University. I was very fortunate to have met Jim, as I had had his son, Jay, in my class that year, at Barrett Elementary School. Anna and Jim became good friends and we got together with other new Arlington friends several times.Their daughter, Theresa, spent time playing with my son, Brian, as he still was not in school. at that time. The Davidson Family eventually moved back to Indiana and we have stayed in touch over the years and they returned to Arlington, periodically, over the years, to visit friends and I know that Jim was in demand to speak at various events. Our lives become more enriched with the people that we meet along, the way, in our journey, here on Earth. Thank you Jim Davidson, for being a friend. May you shine your brightness in Heaven.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I have many fond memories of my cousin Jim growing up around the corner from the Davidsons. And I have some old color home movies of Jim back in the 50's. My wife and I offer our condolences to you and your family Anna, and to you and yours also cousin Jack.

Anna, I was sorry to see Jim's obituary in the J&C. Please accept Gail's and my simpathy. We recall seeing you on occasion in our old neighborhood as we took walks with our children throughout the streets. You'll miss him for sure, and here is hoping your memories are fond and full of joy! He was (is) a kind soul. All the best. Bill

My condolences to Dr. Davidson’s family. As a senior at Purdue I took his grad class, Sociology of Religion. The understanding I gained has been immensely beneficial as a therapist, as being able to better understand my clients religious beliefs is helpful. Professor Davison was so brilliant, kind, supportive and insightful. He is one of the people I fondly remember from undergrad and he made a huge difference in many lives.

To Anna and Jim's family: Jim as one of my graduate school professors. I have such positiive memories of meeting him in his office or in the hallways of Stone Hall, even at the grocery store!, always flashing that bright smile and offering words of encouragement about my scholarly work but also about life. My deepest sympathies to you as you mourn this terrific man. Elizabeth

Our deepest sympathy to Anna and your family. We so enjoyed seeing Jim at the golf course and will miss him sorely. Jim was such an inspiring person. His golfing buddies will all indeed miss him. He made the best gingerbread cookies and always shared them with me! Our thoughts and prayers for the family.

Sarah and I are so grateful that we got to know Jim and Anna during our early days at Purdue. Jim as a wonderful colleague and friend over my career at Purdue. He was a world renowned scholar and for those of us who love golf, a great player and engaging member of any foursome. He was a kind and humble man who loved his family and friends. It was my profound honor to have known Jim. We lost a very good friend. Rest in peace, Jimmy D!

Rest In Peace dear friend from Gt. barrington. My condolences to his family. You will be missed. Sincerely, Terry Coffey

The Board and Staff of Lafayette Urban Ministry wish to extend our sincerest condolences and gratitude to Jim's wife Anna, his brother, his children, his grandchildren, and so many colleagues and friends. May God hold all of you in the palm of His hand.

Sincere condolences to all of Jim’s family. Jim was always a very kind and thoughtful friend throughout our long-standing friendship. Many great memories I have being on the golf course with Jim. His wit and knowledge whether he was speaking or writing was wonderful to be on the receiving end of. RIP, my friend ?

This is harder to capture than I thought it would be. So bear with me. Life gives us only a handful of true mentors. And what makes a mentor? Time and patience and caring and empathy and a desire to make those around them better. A real mentor cares about our success and picks us up from failure. I have been fortunate to know a few of these people. Jim was one. He taught me how to be a better thinker and pushed me well beyond my limits. He took chances where others would not and never let us settle for good enough. He was our fiercest ally and our harshest critic. But you always knew in the final analysis he wanted us to be better people. I will never forget what he did for me and my family, nor could I ever quantify it. I would not be who I am without Jim. I can only hope that my work reflects favorably on his legacy. Thank you, Jim. My chair, my mentor, my friend. Rest In Peace always.

Our thoughts are with the Davidson family. We are so saddened by Jim’s passing. He was a big part of our Rock Steady Boxing group and a very great friend. We will miss you friend. Rest In Peace. ❤️

My sincere condolences to Anna, Jay, Terry, and children. Jim was my professor, my dissertation advisor, my professional mentor, and my friend. I was Jim's last student, though he officially retired before my graduation, he stayed on as my co-chair to see me through the dissertation defense. When I was getting ready to "walk" in the graduation ceremony in August of 2011, I asked Jim if he would join me, and "hood me" on stage. He confided that he had never hooded one of his students. So, bless him, even with his Parkinsons, he agreed to do it. It was a very hot day. He made it partway around the procession, and then stopped to rest and joined us as the long line of graduates entered the building, then sat with me, got up on the stage, and put my hood on me as I got my Ph.D. There were tears in his eyes, as I could see that it meant a lot to him. Not because it was my graduation, but because it was his "goodbye" moment to the university, where he had spent his entire career, changing the lives of students, one by one. I will remember this day fondly, for the rest of my life, for what it meant to Jim as much as for what it meant to me.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.