Kenneth J. “Ken” Davids was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 1, 1944, to John and Dorothy Davids.

His family moved to Orange County, California, when Ken was only four to be closer to relatives. Eventually, his family settled in Bloomington near San Bernardino, California, where Ken attended Colton High School.

He then went on to attend San Bernardino Valley College, where he received his AA degree and studied to get his A&P License as an aircraft mechanic.

While in college, Ken met Jeannine Goodwin through a friend from church. Two years later, in June 1966, they were married at Bresee Nazarene Church in Pasadena, California.

While Jeannine was completing her college degree and teaching credential, Ken went to work for United Airlines as a mechanic at LAX airport.

In 1968, the Davids moved to Santa Barbara where Ken first worked for Aero Spacelines on the “Guppy” airplanes.

Ken continued his career with several other companies at the airport, including Stratman Aero Service, Empire Airlines (servicing the FedEx airplanes), and finally Coastal Aircraft, from which he then retired.
 
During the first few years in Santa Barbara, they purchased a home in Goleta and began their family. They had three children: twin boys Roger and Mark, and a daughter Michelle “Shelley.” Ken deeply loved his children and enjoyed all the activities they did together.

Not long after moving to Santa Barbara, Ken pursued a career in firefighting, He took classes and was assigned to the Montecito Fire District.

After several years, due to some revised regulations, the Fire District decided he lived too far out to respond to off-duty emergency calls as quickly as needed. Not wanting to move his family, Ken went back to working as an aircraft mechanic.

As a devout Christian who loved his Lord Jesus Christ, Ken naturally became active in the churches his family attended in in Santa Barbara. The first was Trinity Nazarene for five years, then Trinity Baptist Church for 30 years, and finally Oaks Bible Church which he helped start 18 years ago.

Ken particularly enjoyed helping others with projects. Annually, Ken helped build Christmas program stages and background sets for Trinity Baptist and Oaks Bible churches.

He was always eager to help family and friends with all kinds of home improvements, building and mechanical projects, while at the same time doing a large remodeling project on their family cabin at Hume Lake Christian Camps (along with the help of several friends).

A friend wrote in a card recently: “Ken is in heaven now helping to build our ‘heavenly mansions’ for when we get there!”

Especially in his last few years after retiring, Ken enjoyed working in the yard, growing plants and vegetables.
 
During the last 20 years, Ken has fought cancer and heart problems, but through it all he clung to his faith. He never missed a chance to share about Jesus with the doctors, nurses and physical therapists who took such good care of him.

Then on Oct. 14, 2023 he peacefully slipped from earth into the heavenly arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ken is survived by his wife Jeannine, of 57 years; his three children and their spouses Roger (Tricia), Mark, (Tami), and Michelle (Marc Hutcheson); and his four precious grandchildren whom he dearly loved Joshua, Abigail, Katelyn and Micaela.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Oaks Bible Church, 400 Puente Drive, Santa Barbara.  Reception following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hume Lake Christian Camps, Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, or Network Medical Women’s Clinic.