Jeffrey B Davis

Jeffrey Bruce Davis, age 72, passed away on February 7, 2023, surrounded by his wife and three children. He was born on June 30, 1950, in Santa Barbara to Bruce and Joyce Davis (née Simmonds).

Jeff was a devoted father and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was known for his sense of humor, his ability to make those around him feel welcome, and his passion for music.

Jeff made meaningful contributions to the music scene in Santa Barbara throughout his lifetime. He played in many groups, including Santa Barbara school bands, a Beach Boys cover band, and most notably, as the drummer of the popular Latin jazz band, Mezcal Martini. Jeff’s impact on the music community will be greatly missed.

In addition to his love of music, Jeff had a wide variety of interests and hobbies. He was an avid sports fan and a lifelong Dodgers baseball enthusiast. He enjoyed coaching his son and grandson in various sports and was well-known in the community for his dedication to giving local umpires a piece of his mind. He also coached adult softball for many years, and was always eager to share his knowledge and experience with his players.

Beyond the world of sports, Jeff loved the beach and all things tropical. He spent many days enjoying the sun, sand, and surf, and took great pleasure in sharing his love of the beach with his family and friends.

Whether it was through his love of sports or his affinity for music, Jeff had a gift for bringing people together and making lasting connections. His natural leadership, warm personality, and infectious sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life to honor Jeff will be held at Unity of Santa Barbara at 2pm on April 16. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, sister, Amanda, and children, Jennifer, Lindsey, and Daniel, and many other friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the family’s GoFundMe Fundraiser. www.gofund.me/9f26e394

Jeff will always be remembered for his biting wit, his love of music, and his devotion to his family. He will be deeply missed by all those who were fortunate enough to know him.

“The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” —Irving Berlin