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Benny George Ketchum
1934 - 2010
Benny George Ketchum
1934 - 2010
Obituary
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BORN
1934
DIED
2010
Benny Ketchum Obituary
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Dewey Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Charles Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in the Dewey Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Walker-Brown Funeral Home.
Benny George Ketchum was born on March 14, 1934 in Washington County, OK to Abraham "Fish" and Ella (Hudson) Ketchum, Jr.
Benny was a talented musician and was the band leader of "Benny Ketchum and the Western Play Boys." For ten years they were the House Band at Cains Ballroom in Tulsa. Benny also toured many years with the Grand Ole Opry with such stars as Little Jimmy Dickens, Bobby Helms and Ray Price.
Benny is survived by his two sons; Benny Joe Ketchum and wife Linda of Coffeyville, KS and Kristopher Loren Ketchum of Dewey. Two granddaughters; Angela and Ashley Ketchum. Three great grandchildren; Keegan, Kelby and Davien. One brother; Charles Ketchum of Dewey and one sister; Elwanda Zoski of Colorado along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Benny was preceded in death by his parents and his wife; Wanda Ketchum.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Travis Crawford
August 29, 2010
Uncle Benny was a joker and i will allways remember those wonderful stories he told us and when he would call me George LOL!!! He was a great man full of spirit and love and a man who cared about everyone around him and his family. He will be greatly missed and i know he is singing with the playboys in heaven.
Larry Hendrix
August 27, 2010
Due to a faulty memory, I would like to amend my earlier post. I worked with Benny in the early 70's. Benny had retired & was working for the State of Oklahoma by the early 80's.
Larry Hendrix
August 26, 2010
I played steel in Benny's band in the late 70's - early 80's. Benny always amazed me with the amount of songs that he knew. He was a great singer and a great friend. I will miss his holiday phone calls. God bless.
Angela Angel
August 26, 2010
Benny Ketchum was my uncle. He was an amazing and talented man.
I will miss him greatly! He is with my aunt now and I can't wait till we will all rejoice and sing together! Love you always
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Don Jones
August 26, 2010
I remember as a young boy, Benny and his band coming to our little town of Longton, KS. My mom and dad loved to dance and I spend most of the time on the benches on the side of the fair grounds pavillion. Great swing music.
Tresa Davis
August 26, 2010
Benny Ketchum was my mentor. Got me started in music, taught me
about music, life and integrity. He had a golden voice and took his performances very serious and gave it and his fans everything he had. A great sense of humor too, he always kept us rolling. My years playing with Benny at Danceland in Tulsa are some of my best memories. Rest in peace dear Benny.
Tresa Davis
August 26, 2010
Benny was my mentor, got me started in professional music and taught me so much about integrity, music, committment, and life in general. What a man he was. His voice was golden, his business ethics were spotless. Playing music was his life and he gave it and his fans, everything he had. What a sense of humor too. He had us all rolling laughing on band breaks. But he could be serious as a judge when he was having a "band Talk." One of the things that sticks out in my mind he said was, " There is no calling in sick in this band. If you're sick, you bring a bucket, cause there isn't anyone that's going to do your job for you, UNDERSTAND?" Loved him dearly.
Donna Olsen
August 26, 2010
Thanks to Benny, my Mom & Dad enjoyed many years of dancing pleasure. They loved Saturday nights at Danceland. Thank you Benny!
August 26, 2010
I played many battle of the bands with Benny, and Whity Wilkerson in the sixties, a couple of his sidemen were friends of mine back then....he had one of the best western bands in the area ...I am very sorry for you loss.
Lonnie Lee
August 25, 2010
Elwanda, So sorry for your loss.
Susie Cox Earhart
Charles Alexander
August 25, 2010
I was a friend and one of Benny Ketchum's best fans way back when he first got started He had a lot of talent and I knew about all his band members and special guest he had,Then after I moved to Nashville I still talked about him to some that knew him. Charles Alexander
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