Obituary: John James Kett Sr.

John James Kett Sr.

John James Kett Sr.

John James Kett Sr. passed away peacefully at home on June 23, 2018, at the age of 93.

Many people knew and loved Jim for his great story-telling ability. He had plenty of material to weave his stories together since his family has a rich history here in Prescott. His Irish immigrant parents met at the Grand Canyon where his father, a master carpenter working for the railroad, met his mother, a Harvey Girl. They raised their family in Prescott and faithfully attended the Sacred Heart Church, where Jim was taught by the nuns at St. Joseph’s Academy.

Jim went on to play center position for the PHS football team. Like many young men, Jim proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945, promising his mother the war would be over before she knew it. He served in World War II and the Korean War as a B-17 combat flight instructor. Jim studied aeronautical engineering at Purdue University.

Jim married his sweetheart, Norma Jean, in 1948. They had six beautiful children. He was an antelope dancer and proud member of the Smoki People for several years. Jim worked as an electrical engineer at APS for 44 years, retiring to take care of his wife until her death in 2005. They were married 56 years.

Jim is also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Wolfe; and his infant son, Terry Joseph. Jim is survived by his children, John (Anita), Michael (Connie) of Florida, Mary Kathleen, Timothy and Kevin; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

A viewing is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at Ruffner-Wakelin Funeral Home, 303 S. Cortez St., Prescott. Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 29, at the Sacred Heart Church with a reception following at Smoki Museum.

Please go to Ruffner-Wakelin website at www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign the online guestbook.

Information provided by survivors.


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