Kenneth Davis

Kenneth Roland Davis, 83, of Itasca, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday afternoon, January 3, 2025, at his home. Visitation will be Friday, January 10, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m., with the funeral service on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Hillsboro. Reverend Paul Clark, Pastor of Walnut Street Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Texas, will officiate. Interment will follow at Itasca Cemetery.

Kenneth was born on May 28, 1941, on his grandparents' farm in Itasca, Texas, to Harley Franklin and Elsie A. (Kimbrell) Davis. They lived in DeLeon, Texas, for a short time where his father worked as a teacher for the local school district. The family returned to Hill County when his father took a position with the Hillsboro Independent School District.

He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Hillsboro, where he was baptized in 1946. Over the years, Kenneth served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, deacon, and trustee. At the time of his death, he was the longest continuous member of the church.

Kenneth married Gloria Ann Schronk on February 6, 1965, and resided in Hillsboro, Texas. They became parents to a son, Harley Franklin Davis II, on December 21, 1971, in Hillsboro. The Davis' then moved to the family farm south of Itasca in 1973.

Kenneth graduated from Hillsboro Independent School District in May of 1959. He attended Navarro College before transferring to Baylor University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business degree on August 27, 1965. He continued his education at Prairie View A&M University, earning a master's degree in counseling on December 20, 1980.

After graduating from Baylor, Kenneth began teaching and coaching at Whitney ISD, where he taught English, speech, journalism, and history, and coached junior high girls' and boys' basketball, as well as high school tennis. In the fall of 1966, Kenneth began working for Everman ISD, teaching bookkeeping, government, typing, and world geography. At Everman, he was awarded "Teacher of the Year" for the 1966-67 school year. Later, he taught auto mechanics at Hillsboro High School and also worked for John Deere before running for Hill County Commissioner. He took office on January 1, 1971, serving as commissioner for 19 years. During this time, Kenneth also began coaching women's basketball at Hill College, serving from 1975 to 1979 and again from 1986 to 1991. He had the honor of coaching women's basketball at Texas Christian University from 1979 to 1983. In 1989, Kenneth was offered the position of Dean of Students at Hill College, where he remained in the position until he ran for Hill County Judge. He took office on November 30, 1998, and served Hill County until his retirement on December 31, 2006. In 2015, Kenneth was inducted into the Hill College Athletic Hall of Fame for his years of dedication to Hill College and the athletic program.

Throughout his life, Kenneth had many varied interests, from farming and Pontiac car enthusiasm to racing and music. He developed an interest in farming alongside his father and Kimbrell relatives, where he applied these skills on the family farm outside of Itasca. After building a house on the farm in 1973, he continued farming alongside his son until his health restricted his mobility.

Kenneth's many interests led him to form lasting friendships across the United States and abroad. He had a lifelong passion for cars and racing, particularly Pontiacs, after his father purchased a Pontiac for the family. During high school, he developed an interest in racing, from dirt track racing to drag racing. His passion for cars earned him many awards, and he enjoyed sharing this love with his family, particularly his son and grandsons. He frequently traveled to car shows and conventions, particularly the annual Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI) Convention where he was a member for over 50 years. His engagement in the club led to several articles in the "Smoke Singles" magazine highlighting his history and love of cars. He was a long-standing member of the Lone Star Pontiac chapter and Dallas Area Pontiac Association.

Kenneth also had an interest in music, beginning with piano lessons as a young child and later learning the steel guitar. He went on to form a western swing band, The Kuntry Playboys, which included Dana Bennett, Otis England, Don Brown, Raymond Burns, and Willie Radke. His son, Harley, joined the band at age nine. The band name changed to Texas Tradition, and later Drivin' Country to better reflect the style of Texas dance music they played. Over the years, the band had different musicians, but Kenneth and Harley continued to perform regularly until 1996. They played at various events across west, north, and central Texas. They had the honor of backing Hank Thompson, a CMA Hall of Fame inductee and Kenneth's music idol, on three occasions. The band also performed for Governors Preston Smith and Ann Richards and opened for Nashville recording artist Marty Stuart in Wichita Falls. Kenneth enjoyed attending western swing events, including Bob Wills' Day in Turkey, Texas, and steel guitar conventions.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Joseph Randall Kennedy.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gloria; his son, Harley and wife, Sherry; and two grandsons, Nolan and Joseph Davis, all of Itasca. He is also survived by his sister, Karen, and her husband, David Brackin, of Itasca.

Memorials may be made to Hill County Christian Academy, 702 FM 309, Hillsboro, Texas 76645.