Savannah has lost one of its dearest treasures, Kenneth G. Douberly, the society bandleader and founder of the Ken James Band, who passed away peacefully in the care of Hospice Savannah on October 15th, surrounded by his nephew Ben Gilliam and niece Carol Samford. Kenneth was born on March 17, 1948, at the old Candler Telfair Hospital to the sound of “McNamara’s Band,” according to his mother, as the St. Patrick’s Day parade passed by on Abercorn Street. He was born to parents William J. Douberly and Samantha “Sammie” Douberly.  As a teenager, he appeared in the movie Cape Fear, which was filmed in Savannah, and graduated from Savannah High School in 1967. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy and was a proud service member aboard the USS Hancock during the Vietnam War. During the 1970s, he also appeared in movies such as Gator, the miniseries Roots, and The Last of the Belles with friend and fellow actor Richard Chamberlain. His band- the Ken James Band also appeared as the band in the prom scene for the movie “The Great Santini”. For many years the band played at old Savannah Inn and Country Club on the Wilmington River (Dino’s Den) every weekend. He attended the UCLA School of Theater, Pepperdine University, and the Los Angeles Film School where he completed his training as an Industrial Director.  Moving to Washington, D.C. in the 1980’s, he worked for the Internal Revenue Service as a producer of industrial training films. In 1997, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, with his partner, Dr. E. Neal Gunby, until Dr. Gunby’s passing in 2004. While in Atlanta, he volunteered and led the St. Francis Table soup kitchen, for the Catholic Shrine Atlanta, feeding hundreds weekly. He fostered a welcoming community that embraced people from all walks of life.  In 2008, he returned to live on Wilmington Island, where he enjoyed the beautiful views of the Bull River marshlands and Tybee Island in the very marsh and rivers where he swam, fished and crabbed as a child. He was proud of his service to the St. Patrick’s Day Committee, marching several years with family members and friends in the annual Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade.  Ken served as a Sacrosanct and volunteer at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Tybee Island, where he was a faithful parishioner for decades. While there he was honored with the Diocese of Savannah Bishop Gartland Award in 2022 for his distinguished service to the Catholic Church. He continued to enrich his strong faith and servant’s heart. His generosity and kind heart knew no boundaries, as he helped countless people through difficult times. He was especially proud of his service as a volunteer in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated that city.

Ken was the kind of person everyone enjoyed being around. He was a great guy with a huge heart, a steady sense of humor, and a positive attitude that never wavered. Loyal and genuine, Ken was the uncle and friend you could count on for anything, anytime.  Ken is survived by his cherished nephew Ben and niece Carol; his brother Gerald Douberly; and his sister Gloria Douberly Chavez Gilliam. Brothers Ronald and William (Billy) preceded him in death. He is additionally survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including Debbie Batyias, Karen Douberly, Joseph Douberly (children of Gerald), Ronnie Douberly, Patricia Douberly, and David Douberly (children of Ronald), Ann Douberly Banks, Gail Anderson Kluever, Terri (last name unknown) (children of Billy), Ben Chavez Gilliam, Brigid Heckman, William R. Gilliam, Amy Heckman, Gina Solano, Carol Samford, Robert Gilliam, and Mary Burt (children of Gloria). He is also survived by numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews, as well as cousins in the greater Savannah area.   He will also be missed by faithful friends Brenda and Billy Manucy. Ken and Billy maintained the best friendship for more than 65 years.  He also maintained long endearing friendships with Buster Pasco, Danny Jimenez and Mollie and Kimmie Ray Duboay. The family also wishes to thank Kim Perdue who helped at a critical time.  A rosary will be held at 4:00PM ET at St. Michaels Church, corner of 8th Street and Butler Avenue, Tybee Island, GA 31328. A funeral mass will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church at Tybee Island on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Fox and Weeks Funeral Home is handling arrangements, and he will be interred in the Douberly family plot at Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, GA after the funeral service at 11:30 AM.  The funeral service can be viewed remotely on Thursday morning October 23rd by accessing this link:  https://www.saintmichaelstybee.org/#live.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Sandra and Travis Carlson, Ken Garner, Alex Montiel, the clergy and staff of St. Michael’s Church, Hospice Savannah, and everyone who loved and supported Ken throughout his life