Jim Ketcher

1937 - 2016

Jim Lewis Ketcher, 79, of Idaho Falls, passed away Aug. 15, 2016, of natural causes.

Jim was born April 3, 1937, in Stilwell, Okla., to Calvin Ketcher and Lillian Sturgeon Ketcher. He went to school in East Pevine, Okla., in a one-room schoolhouse (grades 1-8), then went to high school in Stilwell, finishing school in Lawrence, Kan.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1956 and was initially stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He then rotated to West Germany, where he volunteered to join the 101st Airborne Division. Jim was proud to serve his country as a member of 101st and spoke of the experience helping guide him through life.

After the service, Jim returned to Stilwell and married Velma, who bore him two children, Danja and Calvin. Jim and Velma later divorced but were friends always. They moved to northern California, where Jim earned his bachelor's degree and went to work for Standard Oil. He went on to Stanford University, becoming their affirmative action officer. Jim went home to Oklahoma in 1975, where he worked with the Cherokee Nation. Jim's heritage was half Cherokee, as his father, Calvin, was full-blood American Native. Jim worked with the tribe for a year and developed the Cherokee membership card, still in use today.

In 1976, he moved to Idaho Falls, becoming affirmative action officer for Argonne National Laboratory on Argonne's Idaho site, and later, he was made manager-human resources for all of Argonne West. In later years, Jim was promoted to assistant division director for the large Reactor Experiments and Engineering Division (Reed Division), where he worked with his very good friend and division director, Mike Lineberry. In this position, Jim very capably handled all administrative affairs for the division, down to the last important detail.

In 1997, Jim married his loving wife and constant companion, Cathey. They met in Chicago, on one of Jim's many trips back and forth in service of the Reed Division. With her, to the end of his life, he shared his love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing and his passion for the beauty of the mountains and rivers of the great Northwest.

Jim had many good friends who spent much enjoyable time with him in Idaho's great outdoors, on weekends and throughout the seasons. Jim was special and was always thoughtful of others, knowing the Idaho countryside, suggesting new adventures and always carrying more than his share of the load. We, his friends, deeply miss him.

Jim is survived by his very caring wife, Cathey Jordan Ketcher; daughter, Danja Ketcher; son, Calvin Ketcher; brother, Kenneth Ketcher; Cathey's sons, James and Robert Morse; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Neal Ketcher.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7392 S. Bowman Lane in Idaho Falls, in commemoration of Jim's life and to pay our respects to our much valued friend. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.