Dee Wayne Ketchum

Dee Wayne Ketchum, 84, passed away Sunday evening, March 26, at peace and was received by Jesus in Heaven immediately. Although saddened by losing him, the family is rejoicing that he is no longer trapped in a failing earthly body. Dee lived life passionately-every pursuit was made with intentional, careful consideration. He loved his family and was devoted to them and regarded them as a gift from the Lord. Several words describe Dee, like Christian, Captain, Coach, Councilor, Chief, and Consultant, but nothing was a greater joy than Husband, Father, Brother and Believer. He was born to Lewis A. Ketchum and Lillian Berry Ketchum, both Delaware. He was born in Bartlesville at the family residence, delivered by his great-aunt, Kate Curleyhead Berry. Ketchum attended elementary and high school in Bartlesville setting records in three sports. He continued his education at The University of Kansas on a basketball scholarship, starting four years, and was co-captain his senior year. He received a BS degree in Education and MS in Educational Counseling and Psychology from The University of Kansas and additional hours at University of Tulsa. Ketchum was a gifted athlete. There was no sport he couldn't play well if it was played with a ball. He coached basketball for twelve years, was in the business world for around 20 years and served the Delaware Tribe for about 20 years in elected positions on the Tribal Council and Trust Board, including serving four years as tribal Chief and later as a business consultant. Dee loved spending quality time at Grand Lake, OK for 30 years. His summers were spent in his boat, on the golf course and at powwows with his children, grandchildren and their friends. Dee was the assistant to the tribe's Ceremonial Chief, Leonard Thompson, his relative, for 20 years. He helped many people during this time. Ketchum was a Deacon at First Baptist Church in Bartlesville, OK. He had been asked at other churches where he attended during his life, but never believed he was prepared by his Lord to submit his name. However, the Lord finally allowed him to be selected for the lifetime ordination as a Deacon and Dee was committed to God in service until he was unable to serve because of his physical limitations. Ketchum was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Lewis B. Ketchum. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Annette Martin Ketchum. His legacy is two daughters, DeAnn Ketchum-Ross and husband Ron Ross of Fredericksburg, TX and Kala Ketchum of Capitola, CA; five grandchildren Jacob Sears, New Braunfels, TX; Hannah Sears Wassenberg and Eric Wassenberg, Greeley, CO; Whitney Thomas Ford and Taylor Ford, Mesa, AZ, Clay Sears and Carena Sears, Fredericksburg, TX; and Cole Thomas and Krystal Thomas of Casa Grande, AZ; and nine great grandchildren, Eli Thomas, Marcel Contreras, Tatum Ford, Charlie Sears, Kennedy Ford, Walker Sears, Cameron Ford, Connor Wassenberg, and Zevin Thomas. Ketchum is survived by sister-in-law Betty Ketchum, Tulsa, OK; sister Patricia Ketchum Donnell and Walter Donnell, Copan, OK; sister-in-law Paula Martin Pechonick, Bartlesville, OK; aunt Jane Ketchum Ethridge, Tulsa, OK; two helpful nieces Sandy Donnell Tompkins and Ray Tompkins, Copan, OK; Kim Watt Hudspeth and John Hudspeth, North Venice, FL; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. He will have a private graveside and a Celebration of Life at First Baptist Church, Bartlesville, on May 23, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elder Nutrition Program in the Delaware Tribe 5100 Tuxedo Blvd Bartlesville, OK 74006.

Dee Wayne Ketchum

August 27, 1938 - March 26, 2023