Historic Midland

DAVIDSON FAMILY
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Davidson Family Charitable Foundation
was chartered in January of 1962. The original
founders were C. J. “Red” Davidson of Fort
Worth, Texas, H. W. “Hy” Davidson of Midland,
Texas and B.C. Davidson of San Antonio, Texas.
It was the heartfelt desire of C. J. Davidson in
cooperation with his brothers to establish a
means by which organizations and the people
they served could be better prepared. Much of
the early emphasis was placed upon providing
funds to promising young men and women to
enable them to secure a college education. The
results of that initiative have led to the creation
of 30 endowed scholarship funds, totaling in
excess of $4.5 million.
In October, 1978, with the death of C. J.
Davidson, the Foundation’s ability to contribute
funds to worthwhile organizations was greatly
enhanced. The impact may even have exceeded
Davidson’s dream. Midland enjoyed the result of
his vision through his compassion and caring
for others in need. Hospitals are equipped with
the latest life-saving technology; elderly people
are now receiving food and contact with the
outside world on a daily basis; there are parks
and schools for the handicapped. The cultural
lives of Midlanders have been impacted through
the Davidson Foundation’s giving to the arts,
theaters, museums and libraries.
Hy Davidson served many years as Chairman
of the advisory committee to the Davidson
Foundation. Along with his son Steve Davidson,
his daughter Susan Davidson McClenahan and
son-in-law Barry McClenahan, the advisory
committee was cognizant and responsive to
many needs in Midland. In 1995, as the result of
a “sunset provision” of the Davidson
Foundation’s charter, liquidation of the
Foundation’s $22,000,000 corpus began.
Over the years, those entrusted with the
stewardship of this rich legacy of giving continued
to be guided by the philosophies and, more
importantly, the beliefs of C. J. “Red” Davidson
and others, that to whom much is given, much
is required.
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Trinity Towers Presbyterian Home,
began as a dream of Mrs. Andrew
Fasken, who held deep concern for
retired persons in Midland. Through
Dr. Matthew Lynn an organization
was formed that resulted in the
building of the Towers which has now
expanded to Manor Park.
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