Lowell Dean Ketchum, Colonel, USAF (Retired)
Aug. 11, 1933 – March 22, 2010

Lowell Dean Ketchum of Lyons, Colorado, went home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2010, peacefully at his home, in the mountains that he loved, following a brief battle with cancer at the age of 76.

Dean was born August 11, 1933, in Memphis, Missouri, the son of Jesse M. and Anna Maude (Tadlock) Ketchum.

On February 13, 1955, he married Ruth A. McCubbin in Columbia, Missouri, and they had three precious children. Dean will be remembered as a loving and faithful husband to his wife Ruth of 55 years; a loving father and wonderful provider to his three children Randy, Steve and Angela; a brave and honorable military man who served his country without reserve for 30 years in the United States Air Force and retired at the rank of full Colonel; and as a strong devout Christian who loved God and served Him throughout his life in many ways, which includes ministering as a deacon in his local church.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Maude Ketchum. He is survived by his wife Ruth A. Ketchum; two sons Randal D. and his wife Amy Jo Ketchum, Steven R. and his wife Mardi Ketchum, and one daughter Angela M. and her husband Tom Rittenhouse; nine grandchildren Bo, Tommy, Jessica, Robbie, Trevor, Brandon, C.J., Cory and Dre, along with one great-grandson Trey; one brother Jesse L. and his wife Juanita Ketchum; one sister Anna Jean and her husband Wayne Mathes; including multiple nephews and nieces; and his father Jesse McCain “Mack” and his wife LaVaughn Ketchum.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 26, at Howe Mortuary, in Longmont, Colorado. The family will be present to greet family and friends. “Celebration” of his life and his “Home Coming” will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, at Foothills Baptist Church in Lyons, Colorado, with pastor Tom Formby officiating. The casket will remain closed at the church. Private burial will follow.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to either the Gideons for Bible distribution or Foothills Baptist Church.

Please share your thoughts, fun stories and memories of the blessings Dean was to you personally with the family at www.howemortuary.com. God Bless!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maj. Ketchum served Vietnam War tours as a HH-43F pilot with Det. 3, 38th ARRS and 3rd ARRGp. In the 1971-time frame.