Scott Michael Ketchum, 49

Scott Michael Ketchum, 49, of Meridian, Idaho, left his physical body on Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, at St. Luke's Meridian Medical Center with his family by his side.

Scott was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 27, 1965, to Sid and Barbara Ketchum. He moved with his family to Hayden Lake, Idaho, in 1978 and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1983. Scott then attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1987.

It was at college that Scott met his best friend and the love of his life, Veronica "Roni" Walker. They were inseparable throughout their college years and married on Nov. 28, 1987, in Boise, Idaho.

Scott was very active in his younger years with sports including basketball, skiing, golf and bowling - but baseball was his favorite. In college, Scott played softball on the Rathaus Pizza team and umpired and coached youth softball during the summers. Scott's first job was a paper route in California, and during high school he enjoyed working with his dad at the family wood shop.

After graduating cum laude from the University of Idaho with degrees in Marketing and Economics, Scott and Roni moved to Los Angeles where Scott began his career in manufacturing. Moving back to Idaho in 1992, Scott became very active in APICS and was a past president of the Treasure Valley chapter. Scott was well respected and worked for a variety of companies in the Treasure Valley, and at one time had his own consulting business.

Scott's proudest moment was the birth of his daughter, Victoria. Scott and Vikki were very close, and she told him often how grateful she was to have the best dad in the world. Vikki was always bringing her friends home to meet her awesome dad. Scott loved his girls and was always happiest when all of his adventurers were at home.

Scott always appreciated a good game, whether it was a strategy game, a game of cards or dice, or watching his Lakers, Dodgers and Jaguars. Deeply patriotic and a gifted critical thinker, he greatly enjoyed the study and discourse of a wide variety of subjects and was delighted to discuss and debate topics of the day with anyone. Scott's quick wit and sharp insights will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.

Scott was a lifelong animal lover and greatly loved the family pets that he knew throughout his years including Bullet, Buttons, Radar, Sparky, Thai Food, Ditto, Cagey, Jynx, Barracuda and Chaos. At the time of his death, Scott was happily pre-retired, spending precious time with his family and his pets while fighting the culture war as the Austrian Capitalist.

Scott was preceded in death by his father, Sid, and sister Lisa. He is survived by his wife, Veronica "Roni"; daughter Victoria "Vikki"; mother Barbara of Hayden Lake; brother Steve (Miyuki) of Mesa, Ariz.; six nieces and nephews: Alicia, Nathan, Alex, Edgar Hideyoshi, Dannae and Xyonane; great-nephew Liam and great-niece Emi; and his beloved pets: Chaos, Jynx, Barracuda and Poppi; as well as many good friends.

A Celebration of Life is currently being planned for June 27, 2015, which would have been Scott's 50th birthday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Idaho Humane Society, 4775 Dorman Street, Boise, Idaho, 83705.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of St. Luke's Meridian ER and ICU for their care and compassion shared with Scott and his family during his final hours.