Jimmy Craig Ketchum

Jimmy Craig Ketchum, 82, went home to be with the Lord on August 28, 2026. Born September 28, 1943, in Temple, Texas, Jimmy was the son of Clifford & Bee Ketchum and was raised in Belton, Texas. He was a resident of Burleson, Texas, and his life was marked by the Christian faith with a steady, uplifting spirit—one that met each season with gratitude, met each challenge with hope, and made the people around him feel seen and cared for.

A proud Horned Frog, he graduated from Texas Christian University in 1970 in Ft. Worth, Texas. He worked his way through college, and would proudly tell his grandchildren that he crammed four years into eight!

He lived and breathed the Dallas Cowboys he never missed a game! And while losses could make the room a little less comfortable—trust me!—his devotion was a part of what made him so memorable.

An entrepreneur at heart, Jim began his career with Pitney Bowes in sales, working his way up to branch manager over 16 years. He departed this company and moved to Lubbock, Texas to become the general manager for Lubbock American Iron & Metal. After that, he launched a franchise business Christmas Décor in Lubbock—where he found his true passion. For more than 30 years, Jimmy poured his energy into the Christmas business, growing it into a nationwide franchise. Along the way, he never met a stranger, and he left an impression that turned introductions into lifelong friendships.

Jim was an incredibly special person: kind, loving, and unselfish. He loved people, and people felt that love. He was married to Sheryl, the love of his life for 47 years. He loved her with all his heart, he was her rock. He always told her, “You are the love of my life.” He was also an extraordinary father, remembered as the “Dad that he didn’t have to be,” and his impact on his children’s lives was immeasurable.

Jim was thankful for everything, the good, the bad and everything in between. He took every situation and found the positive, anchored by one of his favorite sayings: “This too shall pass.”

His family was truly his joy! We were beyond blessed to call him husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. A special loving, gracious man he was, and will forever be remembered as a devout Christian who loved the Lord with all his heart and soul. We Love You!

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Ketchum; his mother, Bee Ketchum; and his sister, Jean Whitis.

He is survived by his wife, Sheryl Ketchum; children Kimberly (Ken) Griffin, Beth (Jim) Harrison, Sheri Bloom, and Danny Bloom; grandchildren Trey, Brandi (Ross), Tyler, Ashley (Andrew), Hunter, Hailee, Wyatt, Colten, Tatum, and Bryce (Kayla); great grandchildren Blakely, Brody, Brock, Mack, Vivienne, Ava, and Archer; and his sister, Carolyn Hunter.

A Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Burleson, 317 W. Ellison St., Burleson, TX 76028, on September 3, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, with a Funeral Service to follow from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. A Committal Service will then be held at 3:30pm of the same day at Laurel Land Memorial Park - FW, 7100 Crowley Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76134.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847#!/donation/checkout.