Siesta Key pioneer, newspaper founder and businessman dies at 93

John B. Davidson started Davidson Drugs in 1958, founded and published the Pelican Press and tirelessly served his fellow islanders.

John Davidson inside his store in 2015.
John Davidson inside his store in 2015.
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  • Manatee-Sarasota
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Pioneer. Entrepreneur. Visionary. Community leader. Tireless.

Those are just a few of the words those who knew him used to describe Siesta Key’s John B. Davidson, who died Jan. 22, while under hospice care. He was 93. 

He is perhaps best known as the founder of Davidson Drugs in 1958, which at one point operated seven locations on Siesta Key and in Sarasota.

 

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