It only takes a few minutes talking with Tim Davidson to see why this soft-spoken, humble man was selected as the Rotary Club of Oxford’s 2008 G.E. Meads Award recipient.
‘If I’ve done some good for some people in this town, it’s largely because of the example (Rotary’s) members have set for me over the years,? he said with a genuine modesty that’s all too rare these days.
Davidson, who’s owned downtown’s Patterson Prescription Pharmacy since 1994, received the prestigious local award at the June 10 Rotary meeting held at the Oxford Public Library.
‘It was a surprise and a very big honor,? said the 1975 Oxford High School graduate.
Established in 2000, the G.E. Meads Award is presented to a non-Rotarian who exemplifies the club’s motto ‘Service Above Self? by making significant contributions to the community.
‘We had a lot of conversation in the selection committee and when we brought up (Davidson’s) name, it was by acclamation (he was chosen),? said Rotary President Greg Kudela. ‘Everybody agreed that he would be this year’s G.E. Meads Award winner. We couldn’t have thought of anybody better this year to receive that award.?
The award is named for Dr. G.E. Meads, a local dentist who helped charter the Oxford club back in 1937 and served as its first president.
?(The award’s) special to me because I did know Dr. Meads. He was a neighbor of mine when I was growing up,? Davidson said. ‘His wife taught me in kindergarten.?
Davidson was recognized for his ‘constant commitment to being a community service pharmacist,? according to Kudela.
‘He’s been a great supporter of just about every civic organization and school-related organization that’s out there,? Kudela said. ‘You can’t go to a golf tournament or a fund-raiser or a sports event and not see an ad for Patterson Prescription Pharmacy on their program.?
Every day people walking or driving past Patterson’s large display window facing W. Burdick St. see some type of advertisement promoting an event or fund-raiser related to schools, churches, service clubs, parks and recreation, etc.
Window space is available free of charge to any local nonprofit which needs it.
As a pharmacist, Davidson consistently goes that extra mile to help his customers in times of need, not for the money, but because he’s truly concerned about their welfare.
‘We heard lots and lots of stories about people who had emergencies in the middle of the night and needed a prescription filled,? Kudela said. ‘He’ll go and open up the pharmacy. And that’s something that you can’t get (elsewhere).?
Davidson’s always been willing to lend a helping hand to customers with financial difficulties. He works with them to find creative ways to make sure they get the prescriptions they need.
In certain special cases, when all else has failed, when every other avenue has been explored, Davidson’s been known to forgive a debt.
‘There have been people who maybe couldn’t afford their entire prescription and Tim will put them on credit knowing full well he probably won’t get paid,? Kudela said.
‘You try to help people out and do what you can for your patients and your community,? Davidson said. ‘We try to do a little bit for everybody.?
But Davidson doesn’t view the things he does to help others or serve his community as anything special or particularly noteworthy because to him it’s all part of being a responsible citizen.
‘I guess I never thought about doing it any differently,? he said. ‘We’re all here to help each other. It just kind of goes without saying that’s how you do things. To me, that’s the right way to go about it.?
Although he’s never been a member of Rotary, its Oxford members have played an influential role in shaping Davidson’s attitude about serving his community.
From his father, Donald Davidson, and father-in-law, Bill Patterson, to neighbor Roger Oberg, these Oxford Rotarians left a lasting impression on Davidson.
Though they’ve all passed on, he continues to follow their example and by doing so, honor their memories.
Past recipients of the G.E. Meads Award include Mildred Schmidt, Diane Offer, Duane Salswedel, Ian Smith, Gary Lepak and Helen Smith. ‘It’s an honor to be included with a group like that ? good people caring about their community,? Davidson said. ‘I’m certainly flattered to be in such company.?