Michael Allen Ketcher

Michael A. (Mike) “Keech” Ketcher entered into rest October, 29th, 2018. He was the beloved son of Linda & Ted Garrison and Larry Ketcher. Mike leaves behind his parents, sons, Jacob (Jake) and Grant Ketcher, fiancé Leslie Miller and her daughters, Sydnee and Rylee Miller, half-brother Aaron Ketcher, Step-sister Cherie Garrison, Step-brother Ronnie Garrison. Also his uncle, aunts, cousins, and close friend John Marietta and a host of friends. He was predeceased by his paternal grandmother Juanita (Pete) Ketcher-England, and maternal grandparents Don and Ann Shaw and Uncles David, Jerry, and Kent Ketcher and cousins David Housh and Chris Ketcher. Mike was born in Miami, Oklahoma and grew up in Columbus, Kansas where he graduated from CUHS in 1989. He was a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. He began playing baseball in Farm Club and continued to play until he graduated high school. During the summer you could find him teaching swimming lessons and lifeguarding at the City Pool. He was active in a number of sports lettering in football, wrestling, golf, and baseball. His junior year he was second in the 4-A State Golf Tournament. He continued to play golf until his death. In high school, Mike was in band (Freshman year), Student Council President, National Honor Society, and served as class President three out of four years of high school including his senior year. He received the American Legion Award his eighth grade year and again his senior year. He received the Bryce Durbin Award for Leadership his junior year. He was a 1988 delegate to Boy’s State and was also listed in “Who’s Who among High School Students.” Mike attended Pittsburg State University before transferring to the School of Pharmacy at Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1994, He was accepted into the Doctorate of Pharmacy program. He was President of his Pharmacy class, treasurer of Kappa Psi, and was selected to join Golden Key National Honor Society. While attending KU, he received a Treasury Drug Scholarship. He completed his Doctorate and moved to Omaha, Nebraska to do a year-long internship in hospital pharmacy at for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He continued to work in the drug industry for several companies including Novartis, Novo-Nodisk, Merck, and was currently employed by Sanofi Genzyme as an Associate Director, Medial Managed Care. While working for the various companies, Mike was the recipient of many awards Mike moved to Lawrence in 2017 and became a member of the Jayhawk Club where he enjoyed playing golf when he wasn’t traveling for work. He became a member of the Lutheran Church when he was a student at Lawrence and studies all different faiths, always reading and always learning. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, going to volleyball games, and golfing with his family and friends. He was a good cook enjoyed fixing meals for family and friends. He was a “People Person” and he will be greatly missed. His family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbus Community Fields Association or Charity of your choice. Visitation will be Saturday November 10, 2018 from 11:30AM to 1:00 PM at Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, Kansas. A Celebration of Life will begin at 1:00 PM at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastors Tom Goettel and Jim Bowles officiating. Interment will be private at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Miami, Oklahoma. Services are under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Ketcher’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Michael Allen Ketcher

May 3, 1971 - October 29, 2018