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Robert W. "Bob" Ketch, beloved Husband, Dad, and PaPa, age 83, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 in Stillwater, Oklahoma surrounded by his loving family. Services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater.
A Celebration of Bob's life will be held Friday, February 15, 2019 at 4:00 P.M. at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. John Chaffin will officiate.
Bob was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma to Aurvil Jefferson and Grace (Bennett) Ketch. He grew up in Stillwater, attended Eugene Field elementary and Stillwater Jr. High, and graduated Stillwater High School in 1954. He was an athlete who lettered in three sports and went on to play football in college at Arkansas State Jr. College in Kansas.
Bob served eight years in the Oklahoma National Guard. He married his lifelong love, Deanne Hudiburg in 1958. The 60 years they had together were full and happy. Their love for each other, for God, and for their family serves as a legacy for generations to come.
Bob's profession as a painting contractor led him to paint homes all over Stillwater and surrounding towns. He painted the Stillwater water tower, the OSU stadium, and Gallagher Hall, also working inside Gallagher arena. He painted the Masonic Temple (the old Capital Building) in Guthrie, OK., OSU sororities and fraternities, commercial businesses, and homes big and small. His specialty was mixing colors long before electronic color mixing became available. He worked with Stillwater home builders, and flipped houses on the side, restoring them and making them shine again. Always working long, hard hours, Bob's work ethic has been a great trait he has instilled in his children and grandchildren. He taught us all the value of hard work, and the pride of accomplishment in a job well done.
His passion for raising and breeding cattle and for fishing led him to purchase the family property which he meticulously took care of for the family to enjoy. After retirement, he was seen most days working on the farm, driving his tractor, mowing, fishing, and loving each and every person he came in contact with. He would greet everyone with a huge hug and a Bob Ketch joke.
Bob's humor was one of the greatest things about him. His "Papa-isms" included Jimmy Durante impersonations, and other sayings like "Whatever blows your skirt up!", and "You're dumber than a road lizard", and "Are your panty-hose too tight?" There are over 70 of these phrases that the family and friends heard regularly over the years. It's what made him uniquely him. He always made you laugh. He was almost never serious, but when he was, it was about God. That's when you knew he meant business.
Bob's unwavering faith in Jesus Christ began when he made a commitment to serve his God in his late twenties. God changed his life, his outlook, and his direction. Shortly after this, Bob felt God calling him into prison ministry and that is where he thrived for 53 years. This direct calling from God gave Bob his life's purpose, to love the unloved and those who were at the lowest point in their life. To bring the good news of Jesus to them right where they were, in prison. He was always cheering on the underdogs and encouraging those that had been left alone or given up on. Bob believed in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances, and he gave them freely. He showed us how to love as Jesus loved, without hesitation and without social barriers. He met with prisoners in Payne, Noble and Logan counties, but most of his ministry time was spent in Payne county jail. Each Sunday he and Deanne shared God's love and truth in music and message. There are countless people who were blessed and loved during these 53 years of ministry and we know that some are rejoicing in heaven with Bob today. If you were privileged to be with him during this time, or to be one of the prisoners who received love from him, you are indeed blessed.
Bob's love of family permeated everything he did. His constant guidance, encouragement and faith will be missed and cherished by all his loved ones.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Deanne Ketch; daughter, Robin Ketch-Terronez; son, Tim Ketch and wife Vicki, all of Stillwater, OK.; five grandchildren, Morgan James and husband Travis, Britton Webb and husband Austin, Tyler Terronez and wife Jenny, Joshua Ketch and wife Brooke, and Lauren Smith and husband Nick; eight great-grandchildren, Hannah, Cameron, Jack, Carter Jane, David, Douglas, Keegan, and Cole; one brother, Ron Ketch and wife Judith of Oklahoma City, OK. He was preceded in death by his son, Danny Ketch, and we know that was quite a reunion! Also, by his parents; and brother, Chuck Ketch.
He will be deeply missed, but we have peace in knowing that Bob is now in heaven, the place he always wanted to be.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
7 I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also
that love his appearing.
Philippians 1:20-22 King James Version (KJV)
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall
be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall
be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me
to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
The family requests that donations
be made in Bob's honor to Karmen Legacy Hospice in c/o Dighton-Marler
Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK., 74075.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com
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