Brian Ralph Ketola

Brian Ralph Ketola, 55, of Peachtree City, GA, died peacefully on Sept. 23, 2018 at Hope Center Memory Care in Fayetteville, GA. He was born in Lansing, MI on Sept. 21, 1963, the third son of Ralph and Melba (Leppanen) Ketola. Against doctors’ advice, Melba brought Brian home, and tirelessly advocated for his education and development as a child with Down syndrome. Brian graduated from Okemos HS in Okemos, MI where he learned to read and write and manage mathematics well before the mainstream movement paved the way for such achievements.

Brian was also a Special Olympian in bowling, and an avid golfer, guitarist, and sports fan. His skill playing cards and games was well-known, as was his talent for collecting friends and pen pals wherever he went. Brian had many close friends at Skysac in Sun City, AZ, where he also attended church at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran with Melba and brother, Mike through most of his adult years. When Melba passed in 2013, Brian moved to Georgia under the care of Bruce and his wife Kim where he lived at Ashley Glen as an active resident who enjoyed frequently winning both in Bingo and Bunco plus taking part in recreational activities.

Brian is preceded in death by his parents Ralph (2012), mother Melba (2013) and brother Mike (2012), and he is survived by his brother Bruce and his wife Kim, his nephew Jason Ketola and his wife Yulia Shchadilova, his niece Emily Ketola and her husband Eli Wisnievitz, nephew Sam Weaver and his wife Krystle, niece Addie Michlitsch and her husband Brian, and many great-nieces and -nephews, aunts, cousins, and countless friends.

Visitation at 2 pm Sat. Sept. 29, with the Celebration of Life Service at 2:30 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg, GA, followed by a reception at the church. Brian will be interred next to his father Ralph’s resting place at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. Arrangements by Carmichael-Hemperley, Peachtree City, 770-631-9171.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Jack’s Baskets Down syndrome outreach, Roseville, MN www.jacksbasket.org.