Pastor Gerald R. Davidson, 86, of Imperial died July 1, 2022, in Imperial. Mr. Davidson served as pastor for the First Baptist Church of Arnold from 1976 to 2006. He was a president of the Missouri Baptist Convention and a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Born Jan. 14, 1936, in Moberly, he was the son of the late Geneva (Farris) and Robert Davidson.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years: Verlena M. (Stone) Davidson; three children: Doug (Bev) Davidson of Clinton, Ark., Debi (Ron) Cathcart of O'Fallon and Darla (Trey) Lawrence of Imperial; three siblings: Ronald Davidson, Terry Davidson and Mark (Jan) Davidson; 12 grandchildren: Lake, Leif, Sky and Summer Davidson, Carson (Melissa), Camron, Lexi, Conner and Cooper Cathcart, and Cayden, Landon and Dawson Lawrence; five great-grandchildren: Riley, Callie, Rowan, Cade and Weston Cathcart; two siblings-in-law: Vonna (Jim) Downs and Dan (Deannie) Moss; and numerous family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by two siblings: Robert Davidson and Katherine Sue Davidson; and two sisters-in-law: Vickie Moss and Velda Davidson.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, at First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road, in Arnold. A funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at the church. Burial is in the Shepherd Hills Cemetery in Barnhart. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Arnold. Arrangements are under the direction of Kutis Funeral Home in south St. Louis County.