Kenneth Davies of Gautier, MS passed away from this earthly life at the age of 81, on February 28th, 2026. He was born in November of 1944, a native to Wisconsin and the second son of Samuel and Hilda Davies.

He was creative and talented as both a successful composer and professional Trombonist. Ken held a M.A. in Trombone from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN and an M.M. in composition from the University of Colorado in Bolder, CO. In addition, he studied at Yale School of Music and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He also tried his hand successfully as a commercial arranger, and session producer for nationally broadcast and television projects.

Ken's musical compositions both acoustic and electronic were showcased nationally at conferences and festivals by Society of Composers and many other professional organizations; while his own trombonist accomplishments afforded him astounding opportunities to play with multiple professional ensembles, symphonies and musical organizations, such as Gabriel's Brass which featured jazz-rock and often appeared at Walt Disney World. Some of his musical pieces won National Competition Compositions. His honors included ASCAP awards, Mississippi Performing Artist Fellowship in Composition and his Three Pieces for bass, trombone and piano won the Eastern Trombone Workshop National Composition Competition in 2009.

In 2002 Ken moved to Mississippi where he married Judy O'steen, a poet and of course a passionate lover of music. Together, they collaborated to create a cd of poetic soundscapes featuring her narrated poetry and his electronic music, published by Kenvad Music. Oh what a team they were!

To his family and friends, I think Ken will be most remembered for his warm smile, colorful stories, witty humor, his gentleness, kindness, and attentiveness; we will dearly miss him.

"We live with a joyful confidence, yet at the same time we take delight in the thought of leaving our bodies behind to be at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:8 TPT