Choate Prairie Obit

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

Bishop Funeral Home
May 23, 2023
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

Franklin Neil Ketchum

Franklin Neil Ketchum, of McAlester, died Friday, May 19, 2023 in Oklahoma City at the age of 63. The family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 22, 2023, at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Choate Prairie Cemetery officiated by Rev. Bart Effinger, Rev. Mike Perry, and minister Gary Barlow. Burial will follow. Arrangements are under the direction of Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory. Pallbearers will be Kirby Ketchum, Jacob Talley, Chad Sager, Josh Thames, Mike Shropshire, Gary Romine, and Travis Moore. Honorary pallbearers will be Joel Kerns, Gary Barlow, Bart Effinger, Robert Mullins, Alan Bernhardt, Howard Zummer, Troy Zummer, Bill Ketchum, and his dog, Hank Ketchum. Neil was born to Franklin D. "Pookie" and Minnie (Hearod) Ketchum on December 5, 1959 in McAlester. Neil graduated high school from Indianola in 1978. He then attended Oklahoma Eastern State University and gained an Associate's Degree in Agriculture Education. Neil worked hard as a chief pipeline inspector for the oil and gas industry. He married Tammy Moore on November 18, 1988. Neil was a devoted member of the Indianola Baptist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman, fisher, farmer, and griller. He was known for his auctioneering and rooting for the OU football games. He enjoyed singing, playing guitar, and taking long drives into the country. Neil was preceded in death by his father: Franklin D. "Pookie" Ketchum, paternal grandparents: Paul Reece and Reba (Bumphus) Ketchum, and brother: Kendall Owen Ketchum. He is survived by his wife: Tammy of the home; mother: Minnie Crenshaw of McAlester; daughter: Katie Talley and husband, Jacob of Oklahoma City; sons: Jake Ketchum and wife, Victoria of McAlester, Kayleb Ketchum of McAlester, Shane Moore and wife, Miranda of Ft. Cobb, Travis Moore and wife, Ginger of Stratford; grandchild: Nash Franklin Ketchum; brother: Billy Keith Ketchum of Ulan; uncle: Don and wife, Alice Ketchum; brother-in-law: Robby Moore and wife, Lori of Albion: sister-in-law: Kimberly Moore of Big Cedar; and numerous, nieces, nephews, other family members, friends, and auction friends.