Gloria Ruth Ketchum

Gloria Ruth Ketchum, 87, passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado, on February 26, 2025. She was born on January 26, 1938, in Tamcliff, a small town in West Virginia's coal mining region, to Edith Acord and Elmer Meeks. Although born in Tamcliff, Gloria was raised in Logan, West Virginia, until her senior year in high school. Her early upbringing was shaped by the challenges of growing up in coal country, where life was often difficult, but the community was strong. These experiences helped shape her into a person with a strong sense of self-reliance and determination. As a senior in high school, Gloria, along with her mother and younger brothers Richard and Edwin, moved to Columbus, Ohio. A few years later, Gloria, Edwin, and their mother relocated to Riverside, California, where she would begin the next chapter of her life.

In 1960, Gloria married William John Ketchum, whom she met after moving to Riverside. By 1963, they had settled in San Diego, California, where she would spend most of her adult life— an area she cherished deeply and longed for after leaving later in life. It was in San Diego that Gloria had a distinguished career as an Equal Opportunity Specialist at the Naval Station San Diego, where she played a key role in managing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints and ensuring fairness in the workplace. She was proud of her career and the positive impact she had on those she worked with. After retiring, she continued to work as an EEO consultant well into her 70s.

Though her marriage ended in 1981, Gloria remained a devoted and loving mother to her son, Brian John Ketchum. For many happy years, she was deeply loved by Lloyd Tucker, the man she often described as the love of her life. While they never married, their bond was profound and enduring, and Lloyd's support and companionship were an important part of her life.

In 2005, Gloria relocated to Boise, Idaho, and in 2007 to Fort Collins, Colorado, to be closer to her grandchildren. Family was everything to Gloria, and she cherished every moment spent with her son, daughter-in-law Clair, Clair's parents, Pauline and Ed, and her grandchildren— granddaughter Jenna, grandson Joshua, and great-granddaughter Victoria. These precious relationships were at the heart of her life, and she deeply valued the time she shared with them. In Fort Collins, Gloria formed an especially meaningful and lasting friendship with Gloria Trybe, her best friend of nearly 17 years, whom she lovingly referred to as her "sister from another mother." Their bond was one of mutual love, support, and deep affection, and it brought great joy and comfort to Gloria in her later years.

Gloria is survived by her son, Brian John Ketchum; daughter-in-law, Clair Louise Ketchum; granddaughter, Jenna Marie Ketchum; grandson, Joshua Davis Ketchum; great-granddaughter, Victoria Dawn Ketchum; sister, June Rich; and brother, Richard Meeks. She was preceded in death by her mother, Edith Meeks; her brother, Edwin Meeks; and the love of her life, Lloyd Tucker.

A loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Gloria's warmth, generosity, and devotion to her loved ones will be greatly missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity supporting dementia patients and their families in Gloria's memory.