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Honoring
the memory of

Dr. Kenneth Davis, Jr.
"Uncle Bud"

Kenneth Davis, Jr. of Searcy died Saturday, March 5, 2005 in Searcy after battling cancer since July of 2004.

His life was one of Christian faith and service, beginning with his early days as a student at Harding Academy in Morrilton, continuing through his college years at Harding College, North Texas State University, Westminster Choir College, and Indiana University; and eventually extending throughout his music-teaching career at Harding University. He also served as a member and elder in the College Church of Christ for nearly all of his adult life. He was a dedicated husband and father.

Davis was born in Dallas, Texas on July 31, 1922, the third child and only son of Kenneth and Alice Davis. His forbears had been devout members of Churches of Christ for several generations. At the age of nine, Davis moved with his family to Morrilton, Arkansas, where Harding College and Academy were then located. The family accompanied Harding's move to Searcy in 1934.

Davis graduated from Harding Academy in 1938 at the age of sixteen and entered Harding College. Following two years at Harding, he transferred to North Texas State University and earned his bachelor's degree in music in 1942.

In the fall of 1942, Davis enlisted in the Marine Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He participated in operations in Maui, the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima and Saipan, where he was gravely wounded. For the rest of his life his body bore the scars and shrapnel of that conflict. He received the Purple Heart and was discharged from the corps in 1945. He was commissioned as captain while serving in the Reserves.

In 1948 Davis enrolled in Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where he came under the tutelage of John Finley Williamson, one of America's foremost choral musicians. He also studied voice under Olga Eisner in New York City. He received his Master of Music degree from Westminster in 1950.

Following graduation, Davis returned to Dallas and did church work for three years. During this time he met Betty McDaniel, and they were married in 1951.

In 1953 Davis returned to Harding College, where he spent the remainder of his professional career. Shortly after his arrival, he founded the A Cappella Chorus and served as its director for 35 years until his retirement. During his tenure, "Uncle Bud" and the Chorus set the standards for choral music among Church of Christ-related institutions. The Chorus performed challenging sacred literature and recorded extensively. The group toured frequently throughout North America and, beginning in 1969, made the first of several tours of Europe. In all of its touring, the Chorus made a lasting impression for Christian education at Harding.

Over time the A Cappella Chorus developed its own special following, traditions, and lasting memories. Davis' strict upbringing and Marine experiences made him a strict taskmaster, yet no one ever questioned his deep love for God and for the students entrusted to his care. Eventually the fervor of his youth gave way to the dignity and grace of later years. Chorus stories about rehearsal and concert miscues and bus trip misadventures took on a life of their own. And while many of these events were not funny to him at the time they occurred they eventually took their place among his and his singers' hallowed memories of the A Cappella Chorus.

Without question, the Chorus' most lasting tradition was Davis' solo rendition of "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," a song that he performed with the group hundreds of times throughout his career. Indeed, it is impossible to think of the song as anything but "his song."

In 1958 Davis founded the Belles and Beaux, a show group. The Belles and Beaux took numerous USO tours, including the Far East, during the decade and an half that Davis served as director.

Davis earned his Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University in 1965. Here he studied with noted voice researcher D. Ralph Appelman and wrote his doctoral dissertation in the field of voice science.

In 1982, following the retirement of Dr. Erle T. Moore, Davis became chair of Harding's department of music. During his five-year tenure as chair, he hired three new faculty members, guided the department to accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music, and secured increased music scholarship funding. In 1987, at age 65, Davis stepped down as chair. He taught and directed the Chorus for one more year until his retirement in 1988.

In 1992 Harding University conferred upon him its highest honor - the Outstanding Alumnus award.

His life may be summarized as love of God and love of neighbor. He was a deeply spiritual man who lived and shared his faith at home, in the classroom, in church, and throughout the world. He served as an elder at the College Church of Christ from 1963 until 1992. He and Betty remained active in mission work, especially in Eastern Europe, following his retirement. In his declining years, Betty rendered faithful and loving care to him.

The family also requests that any memorials be made to the Kenneth Davis Project, Harding University, Box 12235, Searcy, AR 72143.