Holton- James Daniel Ketron, Jr., 70, of Holton, KS passed away August 20, 2010 at his home. He was born April 27, 1940 in Fort Scott, KS the son of James Daniel and Mary Virginia Webb Ketron.
He graduated from Topeka High School in 1958. After graduation he worked as a Journeyman Carpenter, Millwright and owned and operated Ketron & Son Construction Company. He had lived in the Holton community since 1968 and owned and operated (with his wife) the Ketron Jewelry & Small Town Pawn & Gun for many years.
Jim had served on the Holton City Commission since 1991 and served a term as mayor. He served on the NEK-CAP Board of Directors as treasurer for 12 years. He was currently serving on the Holton Community Hospital Board of Directors as treasurer. Jim was a member of the Holton Lions Club holding many positions such as, District Governor, Council Chairman (State President), a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, a Claude DeVorss Fellow and received the Lions International President's Award. He was a member of the Evangel United Methodist Church, a charter member of the Eagles Club in Holton, a former member of Holton/ Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Downtown, Mainstreet, Beck-Bookman Library Board of Directors and a member of Carpenters Union #1445.
Jim married Ruth Ann Craig on September 20, 1958 in Topeka. She preceded him in death on June 3, 1995. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Fred Sparks in 2001.
Survivors include a son, James D. Ketron III of Duson, LA; two daughters, Jamie Diane Corkran of Olathe, KS and Beth Lindsey Bernice Luker of Holton, KS; two sisters, Janet Mentzer of Topeka, KS and Dana Murdock of Perry, KS; a brother, Walter Eugene "Gene" Ketron of Topeka, KS; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at the Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton. Interment will be in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to the Holton Lions Club (for Children's Diabetes Camp) c/o Mercer Funeral Home P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.