Obituary of Jimmy Ketcham

Mr. James Carley “Jimmy” Ketcham, a resident of Ozark, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 77 years old. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 5, 2025, from Ozark Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Eric Fuller and Reverend Kenneth Hale officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Memorial Cemetery with full Military Honors, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Friday, April 4, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Jimmy was born April 23, 1947, to the late Clifton and Ethel Bottoms Ketcham. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1965, received an A and P license from the Alabama Aviation College and an associate degree from Enterprise Community College. An Army veteran, he served in Vietnam with the 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion as crew chief and flight engineer aboard the CH47 Chinook. He retired with 20 years in the Army Reserve. His career at Ft. Rucker spanned 40 years working for the maintenance contractor, Army Reserve and civil service. Upon retirement he and Beverly traveled around the country stopping to see friends and family along the way. Jimmy was a friend to many and spent his life honoring God, his family, country and community. A devoted member of Ozark Baptist Church he was honored to be named Deacon Emeritus for Life in 2016. He was an avid HAM radio operator. In 1998 he reconnected with his Vietnam buddies and enjoyed attending Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association reunions each year. He was pleased to be named an honorary member of Guns A Go Go, a Vietnam Chinook helicopter unit. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sandy Weibelt Ketcham; and a sister, Margaret K. Chalker. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Beverly Aman Ketcham of Ozark; son, Jason (Sara) Ketcham of Phenix City; stepsons, Sam Perry of the Arguta Community, and Matt (Stacey) Perry of Dothan; and grandchildren, Sandralynn Ketcham, Aubrey Ketcham, Kennedy Perry and Hudson Perry. Jimmy’s family is grateful for the compassionate and dedicated care given him by Cornerstone Caregiving and DaySpring Hospice during his illness. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his memory to DaySpring Hospice, 100 Professional Lane, Enterprise, Alabama 36330; or Ozark Baptist Church, 282 South Union Avenue, Ozark, Alabama 36360.