Kenneth (Ken) Grey Davis

Kenneth (Ken) Grey Davis,  originally from Down East Carteret County, Harkers Island and the last 12 years of Newport,  departed this earth on  April 08, 2015 at the age of 54 after losing the battle with the demons of cancer, with his wife by his side at their home GoldenAcres Farm.  His final request was for folks not to be sad, frown or shed tears but for them to hug, real close a loved one or friend and tell them how much they care.

Mr. Davis was born on Christmas Eve, 1960 to Etheridge Grey Davis and Urith Mae Gillikin Davis.  He was raised on Harkers Island, North Carolina and graduated from Harkers Island Elementary School in 1975.  He played on the school basketball team his 7th and 8th grade years.  He played on the football team the 6th - 8th grades.  He was voted best offensive back on the 8th grade year team.    His 8th grade class prediction was to be county sheriff.  He wanted to express his utmost gratitude to his 3rd grade teacher Ms. Ruth Fulcher for being his elementary school favorite teacher.  To acknowledge his 6th grade teacher Jack Guthrie, 7th grade teacher Hannah Beasley and 8th grade teacher Ben Selvitelle (deceased) for trying so hard to keep him on the right path for his future.

Mr. Davis attended East Carteret High School graduating with the Class of 1979.  While attending high school he participated in various trade, shop and vocational classes.  He was voted class favorite his 10th grade year and elected Vice President of the Student Government his 11th grade year.  He wanted to express with the warmest sincere appreciation to his marketing teacher Mr. Vance Mason for installing in him the importance of personal financial stability.  Ken never forgot Mr. Mason’s lesson of paying yourself first.  Ken started that lesson early in live thus enabling him to retire early, spend extra time enjoying his vegetable garden and talking to God.

Mr. Davis was employed after high school at a marine hardware distributor business called Bemco located on the Beaufort Morehead City Causeway for several years.  1980-1983 he was a Certified Volunteer Fireman/Ambulance Attendant with the Otway Fire Department rising to the rank of Lieutenant.  He was an original member of the Otway Rescue Squad serving as an Ambulance Attendant.  He was a past member Carteret County Fireman’s Association.  He was a past Assistant Baseball Coach Bambino Little League while living Down East.

He attended classes at night and weekends at Carteret Community College and graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training.  He worked part time as a Carteret County Special Deputy Sheriff (1983), reserve police officer for the Town of Atlantic Beach (1983-1987) and part time Carteret County ABC Enforcement Officer (1987-2005).

Mr. Davis began a full time career in 1982 at the Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF), MCAS Cherry Point.  While at NARF he was selected, attended and graduated from the Apprentice Program administered through Craven Community College as a Machinist.  But, Mr. Davis had a calling for Security/Law Enforcement type work and was blessed with an opportunity to transfer to the Security Department in 1989.  He attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia earning certification in White Collar Crime.  He pulled 2 tours of duty with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) serving on a joint federal task force.  He was presented many awards for performance and achievements to include the prestigious “PEBO” Award while assigned to NCIS.   He was an active member of the FRC-East Workplace Safe Site Group and a member of the FRC-East Investigation & Workers Compensation Working Group.  Past member of the North Carolina Investigators Internal Affairs Association.

He remained in the Security Department until his final 6 months of employment where he was assigned as the Lead Command Investigator/Command Evaluation Officer for what is now titled the Fleet Readiness Center East.  In August 2012 he accepted an early retirement offer after nearly 32 years of service at 52 years of age.

In 2002 he and his wife of almost 28 years Melinda Cottrell Davis moved from the Down East Community of Williston to the Town of Newport where he became interested in town/local government.  He filed and ran for Town Council and was elected in 2003, re-elected in 2007 and 2011.  He was the top vote getter in each election.  He was elected by members of Town Council in 2007 to be the Mayor Pro-Tem and served until his death.   His desire was for the government to work for the citizen and not the citizen work for the government.  He also served 2 terms on the Carteret General Hospital Board and the Newport Library Board.   He and Melinda were proud sponsors of the Newport Pig Cookin Contest and were fortunate to sponsor the winning cook Charles Turnage in the 2014 competition, the first third generation cook to win. He was past member of the Newport Rotary. He was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. Pat McCrory on June 27, 2014, that was presented to him by Melinda on the occasion of their 27th Wedding Anniversary.

Left to cherish his precious memories in addition to his wife Melinda are son, Barney Davis and wife Crystal of Otway, grandchildren Danielle Davis and Haley Peregoy both of Otway, brother Etheridge Travis Davis and wife Susan of Newport, sister Callie Ruth Davis Guthrie and husband Dennis of Harkers Island, Mother-in-law Beverly Willis Harvey of Beaufort, brother-in-law & sister-in-law James Harvey & Kim Welsh of Beaufort and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jennifer Harvey Kennedy & Jeff Kennedy of Pink Hill.  His newest blessing, Golden Retriever Lilly.  Many nieces, grand niece, nephew, aunts, cousins and a slew of friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Etheridge Grey Davis, mother Urith Mae Gillikin Davis and His 2 best friends Golden Retrievers Lexus and Gibson.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, April 16, 2015 from 6-8 pm at Munden Funeral Home & Crematory 2112 Arendell Street, Morehead City.

There will be a memorial service at Munden Funeral Home @ 2:00 P.M on Friday, April 17, 2015 with Rev. Kerry Willis, Pastor, Church of the Nazarene, Harrisonburg, Virginia officiating, his best childhood friend and classmate.

Donations may be made to the RAAB Clinic, 302 Medical Park Morehead City, NC 28557.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., of Morehead City.