Charles R. Ketron, 72, passed away June 15, 2023 at Valley Manor Nursing Home and Rehab, Excelsior Springs, MO. Mr. Ketron was born September 27, 1950 in Brookfield, MO.
Before taking ill, Charlie was an Army Veteran serving in Vietnam as a Medic, was a member of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, McDonald Lodge #324 and Clay Lodge #207 and, most recently, was a Truck Driver for Wel-Cote Manufacturing Co, Kansas City, MO. He also worked Security for North Kansas City Bureau of Investigation Office, Kansas City, MO.
Charlie was very involved in the community and Shriners. His love of Baseball brought him to be an Associate of the KC Slammer Baseball Bats company. Organizations that he loved were the Ararat Shrine as a member – where he played Guitar with the Shriners Country Band. He was also a member of the Bottom Dollar Band and taught Guitar at Steal A Deal Music Store and at home. Playing Guitar was a joy for Charlie and he loved to play at the Methodist Church, Excelsior Springs, and Richmond, Missouri.
He is preceded in death by his father, Milton Ketron; his mother, Silvia (Smith) Ketron; his sister, Susan (Ketron) Texiera; and granddaughter, Chelsea McAninch.
Survivors include his spouse, Patricia Ketron, of the home; daughters, Amanda Ketron and Lisa Ketron of Gladstone, MO; granddaughter, Zoe Bee Clark; stepchildren, Linda McAninch, Excelsior Springs, MO, Robert McAninch, Kansas City, MO, and David P. McAninch, Lockport, New York; and grandchildren, Amber McAninch and Dr. Derrick J. McAninch of Lockport, New York.
Services will be held August 12, 2023 with 10:00 a.m. visitation followed by a Masonic Service at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church, Excelsior Springs, MO. Military Honors will follow the Christian
Service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shriners Hospital.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
You were my stepdad and my younger years you always looked out for me and my kids. I love you with all my heart and I miss you so much but I know you’re not in pain anymore and that’s what counts. I love you we’ll see each other again someday and till that day why hi and watch out for everybody down here which I know you will because that’s the way you always were.
Carla Doughty
Charlie was a bright light with his smile and kind heart. Playing his music and remembering was his true happiness. We will all miss him so much.
Pat you are in my prayers.
Doreen Hasenbeck
I was 18 or 19, running the Steal-A-Deal music store when I first met Charlie. Shortly after we opened up just right up the street from his home, I began to see him come in once or twice a week. He would just be dropping by for a pack of strings or picks but we would always end up lost in conversation till closing time, often later than that. It wasn’t long until I saw him almost everyday, and if I didn’t see him, he would call in to check on me and the store. After briefly making friends with myself and the stores owner, he almost immediately became more like a family member. He began to give guitar lessons for us, teaching mostly children, some of which I still know today that are still very passionate about the craft, largely in part by Charlie’s seemingly effortless way of getting them excited to learn.
After a couple of years Charlie was really more like a mentor to me, always teaching me new things on the guitar and ending our long conversations with some whimsical sense of morale. It was Charlie who introduced me into freemasonry and vouched for my entry into the lodge. As a young man, fairly new to the area with no family nearby and few friends, both Charlie and the lodge were exactly what I needed in my life at that time to continue becoming a respectable man. While I thanked and tried to show my appreciation for him numerous times, it was never enough.
Due to the unexpected twists and turns of life, Charlie and I slowly lost contact over years. But I could never forget him and the immense impact he made on my life. “They don’t make ’em like you anymore Charlie” – VB
I remember Skip, as we knew him, from the neighborhood. His sister Susan and I were thick as thieves. Miss them both so much.
Sharron Swanberg
