W. Jean Davison, D.O. Obituary

W. JEAN JOHNSON DAVISON, D.O.

Wanda Jean Johnson Davison, D.O. (Jean Davison) died Saturday morning, February 1, 2025, at the Deerfield Community in Urbandale, Iowa. She was 99 years old.

Dr. Jean Davison was born on September 28, 1925, the third of four children of Charles and Mary Johnson. She grew up in Cambridge, Ohio, graduating from Cambridge High School on June 3, 1943. One week prior to her high school graduation, Jean began classes at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. On her 19th birthday in September 1944, after completing prerequisite classes at Muskingum, she boarded a train from Ohio to Kirksville, Missouri, to begin medical training at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM). She had only left her home state once prior to boarding that train. While there was a closer Osteopathic school in Philadelphia, tuition at KCOM was significantly less expensive.

Dr. Jean was one of ten members of the KCOM class of 1948. Three were women. She graduated as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (D.O.) in January 1948 and was the last surviving member of that class. In 1948 the Basic Science Examination to obtain an Iowa license to practice was considered extremely difficult, in part because of the resistance of M.D.’s to Osteopaths. She passed the first time.

Jean met her husband, Dr. George Davison, at KCOM when he was her biochemistry teaching assistant. On Halloween 1944, he tossed pebbles against the window of her boarding house room, inviting her to a movie. Ten days later, he presented her his Atlas fraternity pin as a symbol of his devotion. They married in Kirksville in December 1945.

In 1946, Dr. George Davison opened a clinic in Mercer, Missouri, while Jean completed her medical school studies. Dr. Jean, as she was known, joined her husband in the practice in 1948. The Davisons cared for patients at their clinics in Mercer and nearby Lineville, Iowa. Both Dr. Jean and Dr. George were associated with the Axtel Osteopathic Hospital in Princeton, Missouri, and they also took numerous patients to Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital for more sophisticated care and treatment than could be provided in Mercer County. They helped improve the overall health of their adopted community, encouraging better handwashing and hygiene, and vaccinating people against once common, highly contagious diseases like polio, measles, whooping cough, lockjaw (tetanus), and diphtheria. Dr. Jean particularly enjoyed treating babies and young mothers, delivering hundreds of newborns in their Mercer clinic.

On one memorable day, a mother stunned them after delivery, announcing she was not taking her baby home. They took in the newborn and sought guidance from a friend who was a circuit judge. A Northeast Missouri couple soon adopted the baby. “It was hard to let him go,” Dr. Jean said in a 2022 interview. “We had that newborn for about three days, and I swear if we’d had him another day, we would have added him to our family.”

In early 1970, Dr. George joined the faculty of KCOM as acting head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. Dr. Jean followed and served on the faculty as supervisor of rural clinics.

In the mid-1970s, the Doctors Davison returned to Mercer and to their private practice. Shortly after they returned, illness forced Dr. George to retire. Dr. Jean served the Mercer and Lineville communities until 1985, when she and Dr. George moved to Des Moines to be closer to family and to medical care for Dr. George. He died in July 1986.

Dr. Jean was an active member of the Mercer Christian Church. She played the organ, taught Sunday School and held leadership roles.

The Order of the Eastern Star was an important part of her life for 72 years. She joined the Southern Light Chapter of the Eastern Star in Lineville, Iowa, in 1952. She held almost every office within the Chapter, some multiple times. For ten years, she was a district instructor traveling to and advising Eastern Star Chapters in southern Iowa. From 1963 to 1966, she was Grand Representative to the State of Kansas. During 1980 and 1981, she was Grand Warder for the State of Iowa.

After moving to Des Moines, Dr. Jean became an active member of Glen Echo Christian Church. She was a substitute organist, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and provided leadership as an elder. She continued active participation in Eastern Star, joining what is now the Heartland Chapter in Des Moines, holding offices until 2021. She volunteered at Living History Farms, where she played the pump organ in the Church of the Land and provided commentary about the history of the church. She volunteered at Mount Olive Lutheran School assisting students with their assignments. When she moved to the Deerfield Community in January 2022, she sang soprano in the Deerfield Choir. Dr. Jean also continued her service to others, coaching staff on patient care and assisting her friend Betty with her meals.

One daughter, Mary Jane Laughlin (Rick) and two sons, George F. Davison, Jr. and Dean Davison (Patricia) survive. There are seven grandchildren: Erin Davison Mumm, Derick Davison, Laura Davison Shepler (Bob), Maria Davison, Clara Davison, Brendan Davison, and Kaymie Laughlin, and four great grandchildren: Sean Mumm, Eli Mumm, Alice Davison and Gage Davison.

A Celebration of Joy and Life will begin at 1:00 PM on March 1, 2025, at the Deerfield Community Event Center, 13731 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50323. The family will welcome friends beginning at noon and will host a reception after the celebration at Deerfield.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri, or Missouri Military Academy, Mexico, Missouri. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesFuneralHomes.com.