Ernest "Kenneth" McDavid

Ernest Kenneth McDavid of Dayton, Ohio was born March 28, 1933, in Kingsport, Tennessee, and passed away January 17, 2026. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Randy Sizemore McDavid.

E. Kenneth graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering. He began his career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Connecticut, where he worked as an aerospace engineer from 1961 to 1964 and earned a master’s degree in Engineering Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1965, he and Randy moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he began a distinguished 30-year career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He worked for the former National Air Intelligence Center (NAIC), Space Systems Division, retiring in January 1994 as Chief of the Foreign Space Systems Reconnaissance Branch. During his time at WPAFB, he also earned another master’s degree in Systems Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Kenneth’s responsibilities included analyses of foreign space capabilities with numerous highly sensitive publications, presentations and briefings on the subject of foreign space systems missions and critical threats to US military forces for the intelligence community.

Beyond his professional achievements, Kenneth’s many interests included space exploration, stock trading, genealogy, biblical research, gardening, travel, football, and especially a lifelong hobby of coin collecting, which brought him much joy and satisfaction throughout his life.

Above all, Kenneth was devoted to his family. He is survived by his three children, Gail Kenyon, Kristi Briggs, and Lara Harrington. He was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren and a great-grandfather to four great-grandchildren.

Kenneth will be remembered for his sharp intellect, unwavering dedication, and the deep love he held for God and his country as evidenced by service in the Tennessee National Guard and the United States Army. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched both personally and professionally.

Private family services; in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton.

To share a memory of Kenneth or to leave a special message for his family, please sign the online guestbook provided.