Orice (Ken) Kendrick Pouncey, Jr., 84, of Irmo, South Carolina passed away on January 13, 2026 at Spring Oak Assisted Living, Lexington, SC. He was born on June 20, 1941 to Orice Kendrick and Edna (Cone) Pouncey, Sr.

Ken was born and raised in Montgomery, AL and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School where he was a member of the band. He went on to study music education at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and began his teaching career in Vicksburg, MS. Ken also taught at several schools in Mobile, AL before beginning postgraduate work at the University of Texas in Austin (UT) where he studied with his undergraduate college band director, Dr. William Moody. While there, Ken played trumpet in the UT Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Dick Goodwin.

After receiving his Master’s degree, he served as Associate Director of Bands at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA for one year, before returning to Mobile to teach high school band. In 1980, Ken was hired as the Associate Director of Bands at the University of South Carolina (USC). This allowed him to work with lifelong friends he met in the music programs at USM and UT, as well as the opportunity to perform with several musical ensembles including The Dick Goodwin Big Band and The Jimmy Farr Orchestra. 

Ken left USC in 1984 and went into private business before his passion for teaching music called him back. He returned to teaching in 1989 as the Director of Bands at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia. He later opened Blythewood Middle School and retired from Gilbert High School in 2003. Throughout his playing career, he appeared with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, The Temptations, The Guy Lombardo Band, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and numerous other individual performers. He and his dear friends Charlie Elliott, Terry Trentham, and several other UT musicians formed a rock band that was active in the Texas area during the late 60s and early 70s. Ken was a charter member and past president of The Palmetto Concert Band, and a member of several professional music organizations.

Ken’s musical influence touched thousands of students, as well as student teachers and interns. He had the honor of teaching his three children and three grandchildren in various levels of school and in private lessons. Ken was immensely proud that Ben, his grandson, is following in his footsteps as a music educator. Not only will Ken’s musical knowledge have a lasting impact, but his incredible sense of humor and “Pounceyisms” will also be passed to generations of music students and friends’ families. 

Ken is survived by his loving wife of almost 44 years, Sandra Cavin Pouncey; his children, Bill (Andrea) Pouncey, Teresa (Mark) Haldeman, Joy (Ben) Haggard; grandchildren, Ben Pouncey, Brad (Jillian) Pouncey, Beth (Jacob) Rupp; great-grandchildren, Zoey, Ava, and Reign; his sister, Ann Wehunt and three nieces, Julie, Kim, and Rhonda; his dogs, Henry and Pippa, and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orice Kendrick Pouncey, Sr. and Edna Mae Cone Pouncey, and parents-in-law, Donald and Catherine Cavin.

Memorials in his honor may be made to the USC School of Music (see donation button below) or the band program of your choice. A celebration of life is planned for a later date.

As his dear friend Mitch said, “I will never think of Ken without smiling!” What a legacy!