Destin man remembered as brilliant fisherman (PHOTOS and OBITUARY)

The charred remains of the trailer on Sibert Ave. that was engulfed by flames on New Year's Eve.

Kathy Harrison

Published: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 19:51 PM.

The 57-year-old man killed Monday night in a trailer fire will be remembered as a man who could catch fish.

Kenneth Dale Davis was killed in a trailer fire at 315 Sibert Ave. around 9 p.m. after the singlewide trailer became fully engulfed in flames. Destin Fire Department Battalion Chief James Taylor said about 80 percent of the trailer was destroyed when firefighters arrived.

Davis' body and the body of his dog were found inside after the fire was put out, Taylor said.

Davis was an avid fisherman.

"He's been working for me the last two years," said Capt. Buddy Godwin of the charter boat Indian Outlaw. "He had a heart of gold and was good with people.”

And the one thing Godwin remembers most about Davis was "he could catch fish."

Davis started with Godwin in 1976 and then moved around on the docks only to come back to work for Godwin two years ago. See his obituary on Page Ax.

Deborah Jamieson with the State Fire Marshals Office said the fire caused an estimated $5,000 in damages. She said the incident is currently under investigation.

"It's impossible to assign a time on when we'll know anything because every fire is so different," Jamieson said.

Read on for his obituary

Kenneth Dale Davis

Kenneth D. Davis, "Kenny," tragically died Dec. 31, 2012, in a trailer fire at his home.

He was born Dec. 8,1955, to Thomas B Davis, Jr. and Margie Delores Destin who predeceased him.

He is survived by a son, Nicholas Davis of Fort Walton Beach; Matthew Sweetser, Pensacola, and Tasha Sweetser of Destin; brother, Randy Davis (Susie) of Destin; sister, Kelli Davis, Destin; nephew Kyle(Catherine) Davis of Orlando and Tommy Davis, Port St Lucie; niece, Tammy (Chad) Greenwood of Townsend, Vt.; aunt, Muriel Destin; and many cousins and several great nieces and nephews..

Kenny was a fisherman to the marrow of his bones and you could find him on the dock any day of the week. He will be missed by his family and special friend, Tina Harper. He will be cremated and taken out to sea at a later date.

Arrangements are being made to cremate the deceased by Davis-Watkins Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Destin Fishing Museum on his behalf.