John K. Davidson III, renowned endocrinologist, died of complications from diabetes Wednesday morning in his Druid Hills Atlanta home. He was 86. Having developed diabetes as a young man, he spent the rest of his life comprehending and fighting the disease. The funeral will be held Monday, December 22, 11:00 AM at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church. Senior Pastor Dr. David Jones and Larry Bauman, Pastor Emeritus, will preside. The interment will be held following the service at Decatur Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Sunday, 4:00-7:00 PM at A. S. Turner and Sons, 2773 North Decatur Rd., Decatur. Born in Lithonia, eldest son of John Keay Davidson, Jr., and Laura Elizabeth Lovingood Davidson, John (Jack) was educated at Oxford College and Emory University. He graduated from Emory Medical School in 1945 in an expedited war program, and at the close of the war, served as area surgeon for Florence, Italy. After returning to Georgia, he established a medical practice in Columbus. There he met and married Mary Evelyn Coney (Bebe) and they had four children. In 1959, when an opportunity came for him to study with Charles H. Best, the co-discoverer of insulin, they moved to Canada where Jack earned the PhD in physiology in 1965 at the University of Toronto. In 1968 the Davidsons moved to Atlanta where Jack joined the Emory medical faculty and became founding Director of the Diabetes Unit at Grady Hospital. During his tenure the Diabetes Unit became world famous, providing education and continuing care for over 25,000 patients and education for thousands of professionals. Through his devoted care, including developing a diet and publishing a picture book for the illiterate, he saved hundreds of lives. The Diabetes Unit enabled a major expansion in diabetes research that has benefited patients all over the world. He authored three editions of the medical book, Diabetes Mellitus, a Problem-Oriented Approach used internationally as a resource for doctors. His research and clinical success in the treatment of diabetes won him international recognition. Maintaining their commitment to the University of Toronto, Bebe and Jack endowed the John K. and Mary E. Davidson III and Charles H. Best lectureships and awards there. Upon his retirement in 1991 he enjoyed spending more time with his wife, his children and grandchildren, his community and church – Glenn Memorial UMC. He especially enjoyed supporting his wife’s career as an artist. In 1997, he and some friends began the nonprofit organization Meridian Herald, supporting music and worship, which he served as founding chair. In addition to his wife Bebe, he is survived by siblings Warren, Dean, William and Elizabeth of Georgia, children John Keay Davidson IV of San Francisco, Dorothy Elizabeth and Ernesto Ruas of Tampa Bay, Anne Ralston and Georgia Dial Davidson of Atlanta and grandchildren Lauren Elizabeth, Emily Marie, and Andre Davidson Ruas. Memorial gifts may be given to Meridian Herald, Inc., 542 Oakdale Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30307. A. S. Turner & Sons
