Melvin Thomas "Tom" Davisson, P.E., Ph.D., 84, of Clark-Lindsey Village, Urbana passed away at 7:14 am Friday September 9, 2016 at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

He was born December 23, 1931 in Grafton, WV the son of David Earl Davisson and Leona Caroline Davisson (nee Haas). At a young age, he moved with his family to Barberton, OH. He married Marlene Elaine Krumeich on May 14, 1955, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Cuyahoga Falls, OH.

Tom is survived by his wife of 61 years Marlene "Mickey", his son James Preston "J.P." Davisson of Champaign, and his daughters Diana Marie Davisson of Champaign and Kathleen Elaine Davisson of Littleton, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Teresa Lynn Christensen, and his half-sister Elizabeth Jean Smith and her husband Kenneth. Also surviving are son-in-law Rex Alan Christensen of Merritt Island, FL; two step-grandchildren Andrea Gibbs Christensen of Wheat Ridge, CO and Stephanie Brook Purvis (John) and two step-great-grandchildren Sophia and John all of Arroyo Grande, CA.

Tom received his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Akron, and a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. He began his career at the U of I as a research assistant in 1956 and moved through the academic ranks to a full professorship in 1971. From 1981 to 2000 he devoted full time to his engineering consulting practice established in 1958.

Dr. Davisson was a geotechnical consulting engineer with a distinguished record as a researcher, designer, educator, and member of numerous professional societies. He served on and chaired many committees of various professional organizations with which he was associated. He also taught continuing education courses and was an arbitrator for engineering and construction disputes.

He published numerous professional papers and designed and improved specialized construction equipment. He is particularly noted for "The Davisson Limit" a widespread definition of pile failure load. He received many national and international awards including the Distinguished Service Award from the Deep Foundations Institute for his work on pile driving.

Tom's respite from work was his home in the Lake Park subdivision where he enjoyed time with his family and reading. He pursued an interest in aviation, obtaining his Private Pilot License and flying his own plane. As with all of his pursuits, he studied hard, practiced often, sought perfection, and moved on to new challenges. He passed down his love of flying to J.P., fishing to Diana, golfing to Teresa, and teaching to Kathleen. Tom and Mickey moved to Clark-Lindsey Village in 2013 due to his declining health. The family wishes to thank his caregivers for their compassion and kind-heartedness.

A reception will be held Saturday September 17, 2016 from 5 to 8 pm at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 South Philo Road, Urbana. Interment will be at Mount Hope Mausoleum, Champaign.

Memorial contributions may be made in Tom's memory to the University of Illinois Foundation-College of Engineering Fund or to the Clark-Lindsey Village Friendship Fund.