Kevin Michael Pafford

Austin, TX - Kevin Michael Pafford, born on November 14, 1978 passed away unexpectedly at his place of residence in Austin Texas on July 14, 2025.

Kevin was born in Exeter, NH and grew up in North Hampton. He graduated from Winnacunnet High School in 1997. After high school, Kevin attended culinary school in Colorado and worked as a chef at the famous Broadmoor Hotel. Finding the culinary world too fast paced he moved to Asheville, North Carolina where his childhood love of music grew and he perfected his skills at the harmonica, guitar, and trumpet, among other instruments. He soon returned to the Granite State and settled in Exeter, where he became a local fixture riding his skateboard and performing, both as a street musician and in his band The Vipers. In search of broader musical horizons he moved to Austin, Texas, where he continued to be a beloved street musician who could serenade passers-by with guitar, ukulele, banjo, or coronet. He wrote many songs and was known for his talent of creating lyrics on the spot. Kevin was a free spirit with a gentle soul who enjoyed sharing his life and talents with others. He will be missed by many, especially his family.

Kevin is survived by his father, R. Bruce Pafford of Winterport, ME, his mother, Barbara Bates of West Boylston, MA, his brothers, Corey Pafford of Franklin, NH and Scott Pafford of Portsmouth, NH, his sister, Thea Bates of Bronx, NY and his daughter, Halle.

Services: A time of visitation will be held from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM with a funeral immediately following at 12:00 PM on Friday, July 25, 2025 at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad Street, Portsmouth, NH, followed by interment at South Cemetery (Harmony Grove Cemetery) in Portsmouth. For online condolences, visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel.