Kenneth Bruce Davis, Jr.

Dr. Kenneth Bruce Davis, Jr., 82, of Cleveland, Mississippi passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, Mississippi on Monday, October 17, 2022, at 12:30 p,.m.  Pastor Seth Still of FPC will officiate.

Dr. Davis was born on March 13, 1940, to Kenneth Bruce Davis and Dorothy Cross Davis in Texarkana, Arkansas, where he lived until attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.  He received his B.A. in Natural Science in 1963 and his M.S. in Zoology in 1965.  He then attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for his doctoral studies, receiving his Ph.D. in Physiology in 1970.  Upon graduation, he joined the faculty at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) where he served in various educational capacities until 2001.  After a 5-year stint as a Research Physiologist at the Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas, he and his family moved to Cleveland, Mississippi.  Dr. Davis served as the Research Leader of the Catfish Genetics Research Unit with USDA/ARS in Stoneville, Mississippi until retiring in 2011.  Despite his retirement, he continued to collaborate on research efforts with USDA/ARS until his passing.  A vigorous researcher and lover of knowledge, Dr. Davis’s career included 19 conference presentations, 21 research grants, 95 invited research presentations, and 95 refereed research publications.

Dr. Davis enjoyed many hobbies throughout his years, including but not limited to racquetball, sailing, boating, playing music (guitar and banjo), and, most of all, following Arkansas Razorback athletic events.  While living in Cleveland, he served as the treasurer of the Cleveland Rotary Club from 2012-2015 and was active with the Friends of Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of the Bolivar County Library, and the Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou.   

He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Bette Davis Bibby of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Dr. Davis is survived by his wife, Mary Anna Davis of Cleveland, Mississippi, and his son, Kenneth Bruce Davis III of Jackson, Mississippi.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any educational and/or healthcare charity of choice.

Ken was a fierce friend, loving husband, and supportive father.  He is and will be missed by all those whose lives he has impacted.

Cleveland Funeral Home has been entrusted with service arrangements. The online guest register may be signed at www.clevelandfuneralhome.net.