James William "Jim" Davidson

Obituary James William Davidson “Jimmy D”

March 28, 1960 – September 19, 2025

We are deeply sorry to share that James William Davidson, 65, of Silver Spring, MD (formerly of Cincinnati, OH) passed away on September 19, 2025 from a rare form of Parkinson’s Disease known as Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). Jim was a beloved husband, devoted stepfather and grandfather and a loyal friend whose passing will leave a hole in the heart of everyone who knew him.

Jim was born on March 28, 1960 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Joyce Weaver Davidson and the late Bill Davidson. He grew up in Cincinnati, OH and graduated from Western Hills High School in 1978. While in high school, he was active in the jazz band and was also a proud recipient of the Scripps-Howard Award for Journalism.

Jim became interested in guitar at age three and frequently fell asleep to his transistor radio given to him by his beloved grandmother. He was a skilled musician who played guitar, bass, drums, and piano. He was a legend to the musicians who frequented his store, Jimmy D’s Music on Short Vine in Cincinnati (1987-1995). He has performed with various bands over the years, including The Libertines, The Rituals, The Highwaymen, The Reduced, The Buddy Bradley Experience, The Nicholsons, The Mudlarks, The Minnie Pearl Necklace, Chickenwire, Jeff Leist and The Cousin Kissers, and The Jimmy D Three. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s he was a music producer, a tour manager for bands which included Over the Rhine and the Ass Ponys and served as sound technician for various local music venues including The Jockey Club, Motr, The Woodward, and The Southgate House Revival in addition to playing as lead guitar and sometimes bass guitar in his many bands.

He ultimately gave up his touring musical days to spend more time with the love of his life, Barbara Sampson, whom he married on March 28, 1998. He selected that date, his birthday, so that he would never forget their anniversary! He worked at the Sharonville Convention Center and then at Q Laboratories where he spent 15 years first preparing media for biological testing and then becoming the Procurement Specialist for the purchase of supplies and equipment.

Jim and Barbara enjoyed traveling, and Jim loved to regale us with tales from their adventures. In China, they visited the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Bund. Jim fearlessly tasted any food or drink put before him, and made great friends with the local young people, especially the children who were fascinated by his beard. In Aruba, he courageously saved a couple who had wandered too far into the ocean when no lifeguard was present. Jim regularly made the drive from Ohio to visit family up and down the East Coast without complaint for birthdays, baby showers, grandchildren’s shows and graduations, holidays and just for fun. He generously gave his time, energy and (sometimes unsolicited) advice as a stepfather and beamingly proud grandfather.

He is predeceased by his brother, Robert (Bob) Davidson, his father, Bill Davidson, his uncle, Larry Weaver, his father-in-law, Russell E. Sampson, Sr., his mother-in-law, Carolyn A. Sampson, and his brother-in-law, Russell E. Sampson, Jr. for whom he helped as a caretaker until his passing. In addition to his wife, Barbara, Jim is survived by his stepsons, Michael Dunn (Sarah) and Brian Dunn (Margo) and grandchildren Guinevere, Jacqueline, Saoirse and Liam Dunn, his mother, Joyce Weaver Davidson, brother Steve Davidson (Debbie), and their children Christopher (Ashley) and Whitney, Lisa (Tig) cousin who was like a sister to him and her son Brandon, aunt, Shirley Weaver and uncle, David Weaver (Iva). He is also survived by his wonderful sisters-in-law Elisabeth Sampson Paige (Gordon II) and Carolyn Sampson Wilkinson, inspirational aunt and uncle, Barbara and Chet Bielawski, and many nieces and nephews.

A service will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at the John H. Evans Funeral Home 741 Center Street, Milford, OH 45150. Visitation will be from 3-4:30 PM followed by a Service at 4:30 PM. Jim’s family asks that you honor his request from 2020 when he left Cincinnati for Boston to help care for his brother-in-law: go see live music, as often as you can … eat at his favorite restaurants in Cincy, especially Eli’s BBQ (and tell them he sent you) and Camp Washington Chili … become a member of WCET, WVXU, WAIF and WYSO, and VOTE in every election.

If you were lucky enough to know Jim, Jimmy D. or Grampy Jim, you know how his laughter filled a room, you know his gentle bear hugs could make any day better, and your world is better for having known him.