John L. ‘Jack’ Ketcham, age 89, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2008 at the SW Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington.
He was born June 2, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Marguerite Ketcham.
Jack graduated from DePauw University in 1941 and Northwestern University School of Law in 1944. He was admitted to the State Bar Associations in Indiana and Washington. Jack served in the US Army from 1945 to 1947, and was assigned to the CID in Heidelberg Germany.
Jack was married to Marjorie Sundstrom on August 16, 1947 in Chicago. He joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent in 1947. Jack was assigned to the San Francisco office until his transfer to Seattle, where he worked until his retirement in 1973. He was a well-known police instructor for the Bureau and also taught law enforcement at Skagit Valley College from 1973 to 1978.
Upon his retirement, Jack and Marjorie moved to their vacation / retirement home on the Skagit River near Concrete. After the 1995 ~ 1996 floods, they moved to Mount Vernon. Jack was a seasoned traveler, visiting over 40 countries, including a trip to Europe in 2006. In 2007 he moved to Vancouver.
He was preceded in death by Marjorie in August 2005. Jack also follows in death the many Agent friends with whom he worked. He is survived by his daughter, Martha of Portland, Oregon.
Jack’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 3:00 PM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Private graveside services have been held at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete.
Memorials are suggested to the American Red Cross, PO Box 277, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273 indicate your donation is for Skagit County Relief in Jack’s name, or Guide Dogs for the Blind, 32901 SE Kelso Road, Boring, Oregon 97007 indicate your donation is for the Oregon campus in Jack’s name.
Mr. Jack Ketcham is a great collecting friend and a big great philatelist and a best human person.
J. A. Rozados (spanish friend)
Every once in a while my memory of those who have had a great influence in my life is triggered as it was today many years after Mr. Ketcham passing. So, thanks to todays technology I located this information on line. I regret not doing it sooner. For many years, I have often thought of my teacher of Law enforcement, (1977-78), and as it is to late now, I always wanted to thank him for being one of the best teachers I ever had in my schooling years. For those of who might read this, I am passing that thanks to whom might have know him best. Although Mr. Ketcham, had selected me as one of his top two students in 1978 and lined me up for an interview with the Bellingham Police Department, I never pursued a Law Enforcement Career. With that said, by him selecting me as one of best for that year, that gesture alone, boosted my confidence with many endeavors in my life. I enjoyed his wonderful side stories in class and I will remember him as I to grow old. John Stewart, Student 1977-1978.