Rev. Davison

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Carey Davison, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and pastor to all he met, died peacefully at U.W. Hospital on Sunday, July 5, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beverly; son Thomas C. Davison, (Robyn Sherry Davison), WI; daughter, Carol D. Turnbull (Paul); IL; grandchildren Andrew (Stephanie) and William Davison (Frankie Powell) and Alan and Steven Turnbull and great grandson Aaron Davison. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Martha Davison in 1990. Andy was born in Rochester, NY on April 22, 1926 to William and Virginia Davison. He had three siblings: James V. Davison (Edith); Anne Binhammer, deceased (Robert); and Carolyn Tucker (E. Marshall).

Andy's father served as pastor of a number of American Baptist churches in New York, New Jersey, and Michigan. Andy graduated from Monroe High School in Rochester, NY in 1943. He then attended Colgate University, graduating in 1946. Andy felt called to the ministry and graduated from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, NY. He did further work in theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. (In 1977 Andy received an honorary doctorate from Keuka College in New York state.) While in seminary, he began a 3-year internship as student minister of Grace United Methodist Church in Rochester. There he met Beverly Corbett and they were married on June 29, 1951.

Andy's pastoral journey began in 1949 when he was ordained and became the pastor of Hope Baptist Church in Albany, NY. He then served at Lafayette Avenue Baptist Church in Buffalo, NY and later went to Central Baptist Church (now Community Church) in Providence, RI.

In 1963, he was called to be the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Madison, WI, where he, Beverly, Tom, Martha and Carol spent 18 years as part of a vibrant, nurturing and challenging church and community. Just prior to coming to Madison, he had joined the March on Washington to hear and support his fellow American Baptist pastor, Martin Luther King, Jr. Andy was honored to be called to the church in Madison that was already working for racial justice, one that shared his concern for justice, peace, and equality. His preaching was grounded in the love of God for the world, God's love for each of us through Jesus Christ, and Christ's call to serve one another, the Madison community and the whole world.
He enjoyed enabling church staff and lay people in developing youth programs, neighborhood ministries, and working with the West Side Coalition on Aging to develop a place of hospitality for the "Sixty Plus" age group.

The church hosted and supported Madison Friends of International Students (MFIS), providing international students and their families with English classes and culturally-appropriate programs for spouses of international graduate students.

Andy "made things happen" for church music in every pastorate. In Providence, he enabled the church organist, Ron Nelson, to produce "The Christmas Story" - a production that was later performed by several college choirs, including one at UW-Madison. At First Baptist Madison, he encouraged university staff and students to share their gifts in music; more than one academic organist, choir director, or singer responded to his personal invitation to be involved in music at First Baptist Church. For many years, participants in church drama productions such as "Herod," "Elijah," or "Amahl and the Night Visitors" were blessed by Andy's guidance and good sense as to what "works." Andy was also an accomplished baritone, and was an active member of the Oakwood Village Resident Chorus for the past 4 years.
Andy's ministry reached out to many community agencies. He was active in Madison Campus Ministry, Madison Ministerial Fellowship, and the Wisconsin Council of Churches. One of the programs he was most excited about was American Baptist Housing Ministries of Wisconsin. The development of the low-income housing program at Packers and Northport and its growth and success in ministry brought him great joy as he served on its board in the years he was pastor of First Baptist Church.
During the turbulent years of the 1960s, he was a member of a "committee of 30" formed to deal with violence and unrest in the Mifflin Street area. Walking the street several nights and bringing peaceful dialogue to protesting students was one of the highlights of his years as pastor. He was president of the Family Service Agency and a member of the Governor's Commission on Library and Informational Services.
During these Madison years, Andy also served his denomination, American Baptist Churches USA, in significant ways. Andy was president of the Wisconsin Baptist State Convention and was also on the Board of the American Baptist Assembly at Green Lake. Andy was the Chairman of Professional Standards for the National Ministers' Council and a member of the commission that reorganized the denomination in 1972. He was president of the Board of International Ministries and traveled to Africa and the Far East, helping to transfer properties, programs and ministries to local pastors and leaders. He brought his international experiences back to First Baptist Church and churches around Wisconsin.
All of Andy's children grew up in Madison. Andy was a supportive and involved father who took great pride in all his children's interests and achievements. All three children participated in musical and sporting events and Andy was always there. Tom, Martha, and Carol were each graduates of West High School and Andy was grateful that his children had such a fine educational experience.
In 1981, Colgate Rochester Divinity School felt the need for a pastoral presence on their staff and Andy was asked to come to Rochester as Director of Church Relations, later becoming Vice President of the seminary. When he retired in 1991, he continued on at the school as Pastor in Residence. During the Rochester years, he continued his interest in campus ministry, the community of churches, Baptist retirement homes and the Rotary Club. He also became a reading partner and tutor for inner city children. In addition, Andy and Beverly provided care for Andy's mother and father, Beverly's mother and two aunts while they were in their final years.
In 1998, Andy and Beverly returned to Madison, drawn by a desire to be closer to their children and grandchildren and a desire to rekindle the strong friendships they had developed here.

Andy was honored to be named Pastor Emeritus at First Baptist Church. He rejoined the Board of the Housing Ministries of Wisconsin, especially focusing his efforts on scholarships for low-income students. He rejoined the downtown Madison Rotary Club. Madison Rotary was important to Andy and in 2008 he was honored to be presented with the Manfred Swarsensky Humanitarian Service Award. This award was especially meaningful because Rabbi Swarsensky had been a good friend of Andy's for many years.
In 2013, Andy and Beverly were presented with the John and Cora Sparrowk President's Award given to American Baptists, who, over a period of years, have made exceptional and outstanding contributions to the life of the church. It is in reality a lifetime achievement award.
For the past 71 years, Grindstone Island, in the Thousand Islands of northern New York, held a special place in Andy's heart. Andy never missed a summer at the family place on Grindstone Island, starting with his first visit in 1944. His entire family loved the place, especially his children and grandchildren. "Shall We Gather at the River" meant a great deal to the whole family. In summer, Andy was an active and enthusiastic member of the Grindstone Island Methodist Church. He relished being out on the river in one of his boats, or simply being with all the members of his extended family as they came and went over the course of many summers.
We celebrate a life well lived. A man well loved.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday August 1, 2015 at the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 518 N. Franklin Ave. Madison, with a reception following.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 518 N. Franklin Ave. Madison, WI 53705, or Madison Rotary Foundation, 22 N. Carroll St. Suite 202, Madison, WI. 53703, or Oakwood Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434
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