PLEVNA - Clare Elmer Davisson Jr., 88, was born near Sylvia, Kan., on Aug. 20, 1924, the son of Clare Sr. and Alice Irene Ritcha Davisson and died May 18, 2013.

He was a graduate of Plevna High School - Class of '42, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, rancher and carpenter living on the same farm near Plevna for 64 years. Clare worked for Les Cavenaugh as a finish carpenter and was self-employed building homes from the ground up. He was a veteran in the United States Army serving in the South Pacific with the 11th Airborne as a paratrooper. Clare was active in the Plevna Community Bible Church as a trustee, deacon, choir member, Sunday School Superintendent, and High School Sunday School teacher. He served on the Plevna and Fairfield school boards and a Plevna Sunflower 4-H project leader.

He was married to Evelyn Joyce (Wright) Davisson on Feb. 27, 1948, in Plevna, Kan. They were married for 61 years until she passed away Jan. 6, 2010.

Clare is survived by his children, Peggy Dickinson and Jan (Cliff) Wray, of Hutchinson, Larry (LuWana) Davisson, Vicky Rumford and Jean (Steve) Schweizer, of Plevna and Kay (Jack) Farney of Sterling; 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Namoi Evans Stutzman and LaDonna Keeler; and brother, Verlin Davisson.

Celebration of life service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Plevna Community Bible Church, with Pastor David E. Green officiating. Burial, with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard, will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday with the family to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to the church in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.