Aurvil 'Chuck' Jefferson Ketch Jr.

Aurvil Chuck Ketch Jr, 87, of Stillwater, passed from this life on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 with his loving family at his side. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and a service celebrating Chucks life will be held at Countryside Church at 10am on Monday, December 21, 2015. Public visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, December 20th from 1pm to 6pm.
Aurvil Jefferson Ketch Jr. was born on August 11, 1928 in Pawhuska, OK to Aurvil Jefferson Ketch Sr. and Grace Caroline (Bennett) Ketch. He grew up and attended school in Stillwater. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1946 and shortly after graduation; he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Victoria Vicki Lamb. While in high school, Chuck was a gifted athlete who excelled at most any sport offered. The summer before school stated, Chuck received an offer of a full scholarship from the University of Oklahoma to play football. Later that summer a new convertible pulled into the Ketch home in Stillwater and Mickey Mantle and the Yankees Manager hopped out and tried to convince young Chuck to go back to NY with them to play in the major league. Chuck told them that he was in love and he proceeded to enroll at Oklahoma A&M to pursue a degree in engineering.
Chuck spent several years during high school running Coopers Bicycle Shop while Mr. Cooper was away during the war. He later accepted a position as a salesman at Ingham Lumber in Stillwater, where Vicki also worked as a secretary. He was later promoted to paint dept manager. In July of 1955, Chuck and Vicki opened Chucks Paint and Paper at 302 N. Main and in 1968 they moved to the current location on the corner of Main and McElroy.
For decades Chucks Paint and Paper has been the benchmark for Stillwaters builders, crafters, decorators, artists and woodworkers. The store became a popular destination for families during the holidays. Chuck spent years dressing like Santa and passing out smiles, handshakes, and small paint cans full of his famous paint drops candy. Great customer service has been a staple at the store for years. Chuck kept the store open for 24 hours a day during Homecoming Week at OSU so that the students could their round the clock pomping and painting. He also became popular for running the Chuck Wagon during homecoming. Chuck and the family filled the back of a truck with coffee dispensers and donuts and drove all over campus feeding and hydrating the students who were working hard to make OSUs Homecoming the best in the nation. For years the university sent classes of business students to the store to learn the grass roots of customer service from Chuck Ketch. After over 50 years of service, Chuck was forced to retire due to health issues in 2007.
For Chuck, his work was his passion and he enjoyed working as much as he enjoyed his hobbies. One of his favorite hobbies was flying. He became a private pilot and owned and flew several different Cessna single engine plane. He and close friend Hoyt Walkup, who managed the Stillwater Airport, would take off on adventures that included flying under bridges and all over the central U.S. He was an active member of the Flying Aggies and the Stillwater I.O.O.F. for many years. He also served as an honorary member and advisor for the Delta Chi fraternity at OSU. Chucks faith was an important role in his life and he was a founding member of both Hillcrest Baptist Church and Countryside Baptist Church.
Chuck Ketch was a kind and humble man who always put the needs of others before his own. He quietly but generously gave of his time and resources to improve the lives of friends and strangers. He could always be counted on to be available for a friend in need and if he told you something would get done, it got done. He was a man of his word who could be trusted to give good advice and sound judgment. He was a family man who taught his children the benefits of hard work and he was never happier than when he was spending time with his grandchildren.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, wife Vicki Ketch, infant daughter Christie Ketch, son Larry Ketch, daughter-in-law Candy Ketch, and grandson Adam Ketch.
He is survived by his children: A.J. Ketch and wife Sandy of Stillwater and Sandy Everett and husband Tom of Stillwater. Two Brothers: Bob Ketch of Stillwater and Ronald Ketch of Oklahoma City. Four grandchildren: Jeff Ketch and fianc Karen Bartow of Guthrie, Angela Bisson and husband John of Austin, TX, Savannah Everett and Tatum Everett, both of Stillwater.
The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Chucks caregivers: Crystal, Tina, Allison, Michelle, and Abby; as well as the staff and nurses of Judith Karman Bristol Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Countryside Church or Judith Karman Bristol Hospice in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075.