Kenneth J. Davids Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Kenneth J. Davids of Goleta June 1944 - October 2023 Ken was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 1, 1944, to John and Dorothy Davids. Around the age of 4, his family moved to Orange County, CA to be close to other relatives. Eventually, they settled in the town of Bloomington, CA not far from San Bernardino, 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, he met Jeannine Goodwin through a friend from church. Two years later, in June 1966, they were married at Bresee Nazarene Church in Pasadena. As Jeannine finished her senior year of college and proceeded to get her Teaching Credential, Ken went to work for United Airlines as a mechanic at LAX airport. In 1968 they moved to Santa Barbara where Ken first worked for Aero Spacelines, on the "Guppy" airplanes. Over the years, Ken worked for 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 bought a home in Goleta and began their family. They had three children: twin boys, Roger and Mark, and a daughter, Michelle, (Shelley). Ken loved his children very much and enjoyed all the activities that they did together. Not long after moving to Santa Barbara, Ken was interested in becoming a firefighter, so he took classes to become a firefighter and was stationed at the Montecito Fire District. However, after about two years, due to some new regulations, it was decided he lived too far out of the Montecito District to respond to off-duty emergency calls as quickly as needed. Not wanting to move closer to Montecito, he went back to working as an aircraft mechanic. Ken was a devout Christian and loved his Lord Jesus Christ. He was active in the churches he attended here in Santa Barbara. The first was Trinity Nazarene (5 years), then Trinity Baptist Church (30 years), and finally Oaks Bible Church which he helped start about 18 years ago. Ken particularly enjoyed helping others with projects. He 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 or mechanical problems, while at the same time doing a large remodeling project on his own cabin at Hume Lake Christian Camps (along with the help of several friends). A friend wrote in a card recently, that “Ken is in heaven now helping to build our “heavenly mansions” for when we get there!” Ken also liked working in the yard, growing plants and vegetables, especially in the last few years as he retired. 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 October 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), and his 4 precious grandchildren whom he dearly loved: Joshua, Abigail, Katelyn, and Micaela. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 p.m., at Oaks Bible Church, 400 Puente Dr., Santa Barbara. Reception following. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either: Hume Lake Christian Camps, Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, or Network Medical Women’s Clinic.

Kenneth J. Davids

June 1, 1944 - October 14, 2023