Claude Warne Davison

FORT WORTH -- The Rev. Claude Warne Davison, 81, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013.
Funeral: 1 p.m. Monday at Richland Hills United Methodist Church in North Richland Hills. Visitation: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Claude's honor to Richland Hills United Methodist Church.
Claude was born Sept. 23, 1932, in Hobbs, Ind., to the Rev. Ralph and the Rev. Edith Davison. He graduated from Converse High School in Indiana. Claude served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a medic during the Korean War.
He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a bachelor's of sacred music. He continued his studies at SMU and was the first person to be awarded a master of sacred music. Claude loved to sing and was one of three founding fathers of the Interfaith Choral Society in Beaumont and sang leading roles with the Beaumont Civic Opera for 10 years. He sang with Schola Cantorum of Texas for 26 years.
Claude served as a United Methodist minister in the Central Texas Conference for 30 years, serving at churches in Waco, Hillsboro, Arlington, North Richland Hills, Harker Heights, Santa Anna, Little River, and Kearns. After retiring in 1998, Claude continued his ministry at Richland Hills UMC.
Claude was a member of Smithfield Masonic Lodge #455, a lifetime member of the United Methodist Men and a member of the Richland Hills UMC Chancel Choir.
The family wishes to thank special friends, Max Wynn, for picking up Claude for Sunday school and church for the past two years, Mike Almy for always filling in when Max wasn't available, Ashwood Assisted Living and Grace Hospice. Their love and support over the past years was greatly appreciated. True angels on earth.
Claude was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Edith; his mother and father in-law, Henry and Dora Nehr; brothers, Stanley Davison and Merrill Davison; sisters-in-law, Ila Davison and Donna Davison; brother-in-law, Thomas Elliott.
Survivors: His wife of 57 years, Jacqueline Davison; daughter, Laurie Thompson and husband, Wes; son, Kendall Davison and wife, Rhonda; grandchildren, Meagan Williams, Joseph Thompson, Reid Davison and Ashlyn Davison; brother, Paul Davison; sister-in-law, Dorene Elliott; nieces and nephews, Sandy Evans and husband, Jim, Doyce Justiss and husband, John, Dane Elliott and wife, Tara, Sarah Evans, Jana Justiss and Kaleb Elliott; and his many friends.