George Moyer Ketchie Jr.

Born January 10, 1922, in Charlotte, NC, he was the son of Moyer and Helen Ketchie. Having graduated from Sharon High School as valedictorian, he furthered his education at NC State University, where he earned a degree in civil engineering with high honors. After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, he first worked as an architect for Southern Railway and then served as manager of estimating services at J.A. Jones Construction Company until his retirement.

Moyer Ketchie was truly a remarkable man by any standard. He was kind, intelligent, intuitive, artistic, energetic, witty, generous of spirit, fiercely loyal and supportive of his family and friends and he maintained an optimistic and cheerful attitude regardless of any adversity. Until his accident 2 weeks ago, he served as a volunteer at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center for 22 years and sang in the choir and participated in 6 exercise classes each week at Plantation Estates. His faith was a constant source of comfort to him and he served in many capacities - Elder, Deacon, Superintendent of Sunday School, choir member and Sunday School teacher - for six decades at his beloved Sardis Presbyterian Church.

Moyer was a shining example of living life to the fullest each and every day and to growing older with grace, dignity, courage and humor. He was the first person to greet you with a smile, offer encouragement or make you laugh with his incredibly quick wit. He made the world a better place each and every day and was a blessing to all who were lucky enough to know him. He is now in heaven with the love of his life, Rachel Jackman Ketchie, his beloved wife for 66 years, who passed away seven years ago. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Helen Beaty.

He is survived by three daughters, Joan Vaughn (Greg) of Lenoir, NC; Joyce Ketchie Carr of Marietta, GA; and Diane Ketchie-Saar (Ray) of Woodland Hills, CA; and a sister, Pat Bradfield (Don) of Fort Worth, TX. Moyer is also survived by seven grandchildren: Martha V. Mayfield (Doug) of Anderson, SC; Matthew Vaughn (Banu) of Smyrna, GA; Bracken Carr of Roswell, GA; David Carr of Smyrna, GA; John Carr of Nashville, TN; Val Wisniewski (Bob) of Hartland, WI; and Rachel Kupan (Laszlo) of Culver City, CA and six great-grandchildren: Brooke and Andi Wisniewski, Dylan Carr, Will and Sarah Douglas Mayfield, and William Kupan.

A memorial service to celebrate Moyer’s extraordinary life will be held at 11 am, Saturday, March 26, officiated by The Rev. Dr. Jane Fobel at Sardis Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC. A reception will follow. A second service will be held Saturday at 4 pm at Plantation Estates, Matthews, NC, where Moyer had resided since 1993. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270 or to the Alzheimer’s Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.