Long-time HECer, Ken Davis, Died August 15, 2007
Ken Davis died just after 3:30 PM at Duke University Hospital in Durham on Wednesday, August 15th. His funeral will be at Walker's Funeral Home on main street in Hillsborough at 2:00pm on Saturday and a visitation will be held on Friday night at 7:00 PM. The pool party which had been scheduled for Saturday is canceled. HECers who would need help to attend can contact us for assistance.
See photos of Ken.
I had hoped to visit with Ken on Wednesday afternoon in the hospital, so I left work a little early to go see him. I arrived at the hospital at about 4 PM. When I arrived at Ken's room, his mother came out to greet me and to let me know that I had only just missed him. He had died about twenty-five minutes earlier.
Ken's mother invited me into his room. Ken was lying peacefully in the hospital bed surrounded by his family. I knelt down beside him and stroked his arm and shoulder. As I knelt there I shared with the family my memories of Ken at the Spring retreat -- how Ken and I joked with each other when I came to get him up in the morning, how Ken had penned a beautiful talk and our craft with the wooden crosses and hearts. I also shared our beautiful tradition of memorial trees at the retreat center.
Ken's mother knew just how much Handicapped Encounter Christ meant to Ken. She mentioned several times that Ken would talk with excitement about HEC for weeks before and after each retreat.
Ken's mother could hear the songs of angels greeting Ken, and I could see his smile and hear his chuckle. I thank God that I know Ken Davis and that he has been such an important part of the HEC community for so many years.
Israel Pattison
