Jack was born May 12, 1929, in St. Louis to Margaret Todd and Harold P. Davison. He was a graduate of University City High School.
At Princeton he roomed with Bill Kleinsasser, Fred Riehl, and Vic Rizzi. He majored in philosophy, was president of his senior class, and belonged to Tiger Inn. Jack played varsity football — he was a defensive back on the undefeated 1950 team — and was awarded the Poe Cup, the Pyne Prize, and the Detwiler 1903 Prize. Over the years, he attended graduate school and was awarded a Fulbright to Pakistan. He and Diana Katnack were married April 21, 1951.
A passionate educator and youth leader, he was a history teacher for 41 years and a football coach for 32, teaching and coaching at St. Louis Country Day, Groton, Choate, and high schools in New Haven, Hamden, and Darien, Conn. He and Diana taught abroad at Cairo American College (1983–85) and traveled extensively, visiting 72 countries over the years.
Jack died April 22, 2013, at home in Woodbridge, Conn., and is survived by Diana; their children, Deborah, Hal, Melissa, and Sarah; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law Ted McClure ’52. Jack’s sister, Peggy McClure, predeceased him.