Michael Paul Davison

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Michael Paul Davison of Troy, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home with his loving family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 56. Mike lived a life of purpose and adventure, loved to entertain everyone around him with his stories, words of wisdom, and comedic nature. He loved his family fiercely and was a true warrior to the end.

Mike was born on June 7, 1968 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of five children to parents Thomas and Joan (McCracken) Davison of Canton, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Canton High School, Class of 1986. In high school, Mike enjoyed spending time with his friends and had great memories of playing high school baseball and football. After high school, Mike enlisted in the United States Army in 1987. He did his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and performed active duty at Fort Hood, Texas, serving the great 1st Cavalry Division. His National Guard service was with the 28th Infantry Division out of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Mike’s Military Occupational Specialty was a 19D, a Cavalry Scout. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and has two honorable discharge papers from the United States Army under the Department of Defense.

While serving our country in the Army National Guard, Mike also attended Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, earning a BA in Business Finance in 1993. While at Lycoming College, Mike played for the Lycoming Warrior Football Team from 1989-1993, whose winning records led to the NCAA Playoffs all four years and even a trip to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. Mike was an active and revered member of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and enjoyed the many life-long friendships formed in the brotherhood for many years.

On October 10, 1998, Mike married the love of his life and best friend, Meredith (Mindy) Morris. Mike and Mindy celebrated 25 years of marriage last October and enjoyed raising their two children, taking great pride in their high school and college activities and accomplishments. Mike loved spending time with his family and friends, appreciated the comradery and fellowship of his hunting camp, took delight in the outdoors, whether hunting, mowing lawns, or cultivating fields on the family farm with his cousin, Josh Metzger, and fulfilled dreams of planning and building many impressive DIY home-improvement projects to beautify his own home. Mike was a very driven, energetic, and giving person. He served his community in many ways throughout the years and instilled in his family the values of hard work, integrity, and kindness to others; traits he modeled every day of his life.

Throughout the years, Mike was employed by the Canton Building Supply, Oak Hill Veneer, Inc, and later helped build Barefoot Pellet Company, where he took on the roles of General Manager, and later partner, over the span of 15 years. More recently, Mike worked as an Independent Contractor for Kevlor Operating, LLC, supporting the natural gas industry. Mike formed many special friendships and earned the respect of his co-workers throughout his working career.

Mike was an exemplary community leader and volunteer. He served the Troy Community as a Past President of the Troy Lions Club, an endman for the annual Troy Lions Club Minstrel Show, was elected to the Troy Borough Council, served as a defensive coach for the Troy High School Football Team, coached his children’s flag football, little league baseball and softball teams, was an active member of the Armenia Debating Society and American Legion Post 49, and served in the Troy Veterans Honor Guard. Mike’s latest accomplishments were being chosen as the Grand Marshal for the Troy Memorial Day Parade and as an inductee to the Canton Football Hall of Fame next month. He was very proud to call both Canton and Troy, Pennsylvania his home.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Davison, in-laws Harold and Barbara Morris, grandparents, Edoise and Marvin Eyer and Hermina and James Davison, aunts and uncles, Dorothy and David Hertel, Hermina Davison and Thomas McCracken. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mindy Davison; their children, Aliah (Matthew) Davison and Molly Davison, both of Troy, Pennsylvania; mother, Joan Davison of Canton, Pennsylvania; brothers, Walker (Tami) Davison, of Canton, Pennsylvania; Tom Davison, of Sierra Vista, Arizona; sisters, Amy (Jeff) Flick, of Cornwall, Pennsylvania; Dreste (Robert) Oeler, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; and aunt Marlene McCracken. He also leaves behind many special brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, who loved their “Uncle Mike” dearly, and a countless number of special friends who were like family to him.

Family and friends are welcome to call from 9:00am – 10:00am on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 107 North Washington Street, Canton, Pennsylvania, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the church beginning at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, Troy, Pennsylvania. A Celebration of Life Reception for Mike will take place on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at the Troy Sale Barn, 50 Ballard Street, Troy, Pennsylvania from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Mike’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or at support.woundedwarriorproject.org or the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers, 104 W. Lockhart Street, Sayre, PA 18840 or at twintierscf.org, designated to the Troy Lions Club “Huck Fund” Scholarship.

The Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. 1093 West Main St. Troy, PA has been entrusted with the arrangements.