Joseph Richard "Rich" Davidson,75, of Milledgeville, Georgia, formerly of Zelienople, died Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, where he had been a resident for the past year.

A son of the late Roy Willis Davidson and Virginia Potts Davidson, Rich was born Sept. 15, 1950, in Ellwood City and he grew up in Zelienople.

Rich graduated from Seneca Valley High School in 1968 and earned credits at Butler County Community College from 1968-1970 until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in the Army from 1970-1972, and he ended up stationed in Germany awaiting deployment to Vietnam. Fortunately, the war ended prior to his deployment.

Upon his return to the U.S., Rich went to work for Keystone Resources, working in the accounting department for 20 years. He later worked for the U.S. Postal Service Distribution Center, where he was employed for 15 years until he took disability retirement due to a Parkinson's diagnosis.

Rich was an avid collector with emphasis on military and law enforcement memorabilia. He enjoyed sharing his collection with others.

Rich is survived by his daughter Jennifer Davidson; his grandsons Christian Shoaf and Hunter Shoaf; and Christian and Hunter's father, Gary Shoaf.

Rich is also survived by his ex-wife Yvonne Young; his stepchildren, Brian Young and Michelle Young; three sisters, Shirley Ray (Bob), Helen "Tootie" West, and Valinda Morton (Hugh); his stepsister, Donna Magill and her husband, Dale; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Rich was preceded in death by his brother, Roy "Butch" Davidson; and two stepbrothers, Ronnie Hoover and Gary Hoover.

Over time, Rich's Parkinson's severely impacted his ability to speak. However, one of his last audible comments was, "…I love life and I love Jesus". We are comforted that he is in Heaven with a completely healed body, mind, and soul.

Friends and family will be received in the Martin Funeral Home Downtown, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, on Monday, Aug. 17, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Services will immediately follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Jim Lewis officiating.

Military Honors will be accorded at the funeral home by American Legion Post 778, VFW Post 249, and VFW Post 499.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in memory of Joseph Richard "Rich" Davidson to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org