Ernest Claude Davison Jr.

Ernest Claude Davison Jr. of Dover and Rehoboth Beach died May 1, 2007, at his home surrounded by his loving wife, Cathleen Maureen Bernadette Flynn Davison, and their four children, Ernest Claude Davison III, Julianne Tracey Davison, James Patrick Davison and Lewis Drexel Davison. He was 70.

Ernest was born in Chester, Pa., on June 17, 1936.

"Dick" as they called him, grew up on Franklin Avenue in Morton, Pa. where he attended, Ridley Township High School.

Not surprisingly his focus was woodworking.

After graduation, Mr. Davison entered the Air Force, where he trained as a sheet metal specialist. Most of his four-year hitch was spent in Britain and France where he met and married his wife.

Desiring to be nearer his home and more settled, but still deeply interested in the Air Force, Mr. Davison decided to become a civilian employee.

When a position in the Dover sheet metal shop opened, a few months after he left the service, he took the job.

There he built and designed as he went along the pods used with the Air Force's fleet of C-141's, which made it possible to carry VIP passengers.

Throughout his life, Mr. Davison maintained an active interest in music starting in junior high, when he became proficient on the accordion and marched with the Tinicum String Band in the annual Philadelphia Mummers Parade for three years.

While in the Air Force Mr. Davison used his talents as an organist and formed a dance group the "Starlifters," which played the base's Officers Club and venues as far as Philadelphia and Salisbury.

He taught the organ at his studio at the Blue Hen Mall.

After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Davison founded Kent Construction Co. which under his leadership oversaw such projects as the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts and the new Holy Cross Church, State Street, Dover where Mr. Davison was a member.

Mr. Davison's interests were many and varied. He enjoyed snow mobiling in Canada and upstate New York, wintering in Marco Island, Fla., captaining his yacht, piloting his helicopter, and cruising on his Harley Soft Tail motorcycle.

Mr. Davison was president of Davison NASCAR racing team and was contributor to many charities including the American Heart Association, Special Olympics, and Mom's House.

In 2000, Mr. Davison was a nominee for Small Business Man of the Year, and was awarded the J. Paul Harris Award for outstanding community involvement.

He founded the Davison Scholarship for Outstanding Athlete Award.

In addition to his loving wife and four children, Mr. Davison is survived by his, daughter-in-law, Kathy Minner Davison; son-in-law, Joseph S. Liberto; daughter-in-law, Jean Kearns Davison, all of Dover; his grandchildren, Ryan P. Ament of Boca Raton, Fla., Courtney K. Davison, Kristin A. Hester, Katie A. Davison, Paige A. Davison, Brittney N. Davison; and step-grandson, Wesley T. Liberto, all of Dover; brothers, Richard G. Davison and his wife, Carol of Orlando Fla., and Arthur Davison and his wife, Doris of Ridley Park, Pa.; sister-in-law, Julie Flynn and her children and family of Liverpool, England. We would like to thank, Crystal Harden, Jan Mercer, Lucy Goicuria and Martha Scott for their loving care of Ernie.

He was our "little buddy," he brought magic to our world and he will be greatly missed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Holy Cross Catholic Church, South State St., Dover.

Visitation for family and friends will be Monday from 5-8 p.m. also at the church.

Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover following the service.

Arrangements by Trader Funeral Home.