Denver Davison

Denver Norton Davison (October 9, 1891 – April 28, 1983) was an American jurist from Oklahoma. Born in Rich Hill, Missouri, he moved to the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory in 1906 to work in the coal mines there. He earned a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1915, and entered private practice, until he was appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1937. When he died at age 91 on April 28, 1983, he had served for over 41 years, longer on the Oklahoma Supreme Court than any other justice until that time. He had also served an unprecedented three terms as chief justice.

Education and early career Davison reportedly attended high school in Kansas City, Missouri, then studied at the University of Missouri for two years. During this time, he also worked in Kansas coal mines until he moved to Bokoshe, Oklahoma, in 1906, where it was said that he was paid $1.07 per day. During World War I, he served for 18 months in the Army Signal Corps. After discharge, he became a charter member of the Coalgate American Legion Post.

Organization memberships Alpha Tau Omega, legal fraternity, Coalgate, Oklahoma B.P.O.E. (Elks); Coalgate Oak Hills Country Club; Ada American Legion (Ada Post)

Death Davison died on April 29, 1983. Survivors included his second wife, Lillian (née Wright); daughter-in-law, Susan N. Cason, grandchildren, Denver N. Davison and Trigg Yerby (all of Ada), Celeste Barringer ( of Ardmore)and Robert Cason (of Norman). His only son, Captain Denver B. Davison, was killed in WWII.

Davison's funeral was held at Crown Heights United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, and he was interred at Rosedale Cemetery in Ada.

Legacy Davison was an original member of the Will Rogers Memorial Commission and is credited with obtaining the Rogers family's approval of the memorial building. An office building constructed on the Oklahoma City capitol complex has been named for Denver Davison.