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July 14, 2010
Kathy Ann Kerr
 Kerr, Kathy Ann A member of the first women's gymnastics team at the University of Oklahoma and most recently a dedicated jazzercise instructor, Kathy Ann Ketchum Kerr insisted all that exercise was only so she could continue to enjoy her favorite treats: fresh-baked cookies with milk (preferably Braum's.) Kathy was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 2, 1958. She graduated from Norman High School in 1976, majored in education at OU and graduated from there in 1981. A month later she married Dale Leslie Kerr and in Oklahoma City raised a son,Taylor Dale, and daughter, Brittany Ann. After relocating their family to Carrollton, Texas in 1993, Kathy eventually became active in the Boy Scouts of America as a leader of Troop 753, Blalack Middle School and Creekview High Orchestra Booster Clubs and Creekview dance and theater departments. Kathy passed away on July 7, 2010, following a courageous and uncompromising five-and-a-half year battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her husband and two children as well as by sister Karen Gay and husband Calvin, parents Bill and Carol Ketchum, and many more beloved family and friends.A memorial service will be held 3pm, Saturday, July 10 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano. A reception will follow where cookies and Braum's milk will be served. For Memorial suggestion, go to www.kathysdivas.com/donate.php
Published in Dallas Morning News on July 10, 2010
July 14, 2010
Kathy Ann Kerr
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — A member of the first women’s gymnastics team at the University of Oklahoma and most recently a dedicated jazzercise instructor, Kathy Ann Ketchum Kerr insisted all that exercise was only so she could continue to enjoy her favorite treats: fresh-baked cookies with milk (preferably Braum’s).
Kathy was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 2, 1958. She graduated from Norman High School in 1976, majored in education at OU and graduated from there in 1981. A month later she married Dale Leslie Kerr and in Oklahoma City raised a son, Taylor Dale and daughter, Brittany Ann.
After relocating their family to Carrollton, Texas in 1993, Kathy eventually became active in the Boy Scouts of America as a leader of Troop 753, Blalack Middle School and Creekview High Orchestra Booster Clubs and Creekview dance and theater departments.
Kathy passed away on July 7, 2010 following a courageous and uncompromising five-and-a-half year battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her husband and two children as well as by sister Karen Gay and husband Calvin, parents Bill and Carol Ketchum and many more beloved family and friends.
Memorials may be made to www.kathysdivas.com/donate.php
A Celebration will be held 1:00 P.M., Friday, July 16, 2010 in the Atrium of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home.
Submitted by family
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Susie O'Dell (Skaggs)
I've known Kathy since the early days of Jackson Elementary. I remember one of the boys in six grade bringing a cow's eye to class for science in Mrs. King's class. Kathy was not a happy camper about having to sit in the same 4 square group with that eye in the glass baby jar. It was the only time I can ever remember her not being upbeat, smiling and happy!
I remember her practicing with us in Miss Kennedy's vocal music class at West. What caught my eye was how she would lock her knees backwards (very noticable in her pep club outfit). I wondered if she was double jointed. I was to find out a couple of years later (10th grade) when Carol Cook and I took gymnastics (with no experience) to avoid having to go outside for the regular required gym class of Kathy's hidden talent for gymnastics. Of course, we were terrible at it - but it was intriguing watching Kathy as she worked her routines. She was so talented, but I wouldn't have known that if we didn't take that class as she was quiet and shy - never one to boast of her talents.
I read her blog on her website. She was upbeat until the end - quietly battling her cancer with the same upbeat attitude I remember from school. She was a woman of profound faith with great love for her family.
Denise Owen (Hopper)
Even though I knew Kathy at West and Norman High it was after school that I came to know her best. My parents were part of the OU Gymnastics Booster Club and would "Feed a Starving Gymnast" at our home on Sunday nights. She was so sweet with personality plus. She and Les were an awesome couple, just perfect together. Even after I married and moved to Nebraska I would often run into them at OU games and she would be just as friendly and sweet as if we'd seen each other the day before. Les is as upbeat as Kathy and I know he and the kids will be okay - but what a loss. My heart breaks for them upon hearing this news.
Sonya Cohlmia (Grob)
my heart goes out to kathys parents, carol and bill, and her sister karen. i knew kathy from first grade on. grade school, jr high, mid high, high school. she was always a sweetie. one very memorable moment...second grade...mrs. snyders class...picture day. kathys mom sent her to school with pink sponge curlers in her hair! later carol showed up to do her hair for the pictures. i've always remembered that. i DO remember that she was double jointed. i've told people for years how i had a friend from school who could lock her knees. i was just recently talking about her and her tryout for cheer in jr. high. todays tryouts are so much more fair...they go on ability...which she definately had...alas, those days it was on popularity. she was really good. i remember after vacations i would love to hear her tell of how they would go to her grandparents house in arkansas. we were members together in the rainbow girls and spent a lot of time together during those years. carol, her mom put in a LOT of miles hauling us around. she always had time to pick me up and take me. a lot of love. i know her family is going to miss her!
Vickie Warner (Brewer)
Kathy was my first best friend. We car pooled to Madison to go to kindergarten, and were fast friends. We lived down the street from each other through first grade in the Jackson school district then my family moved to the Cleveland school district. We met back up at West and it was like we never skipped a beat. We were active inthe Methodist youth fellowship group and in the church choir. I kept up with her through her sister, Karen, when taking my kids to the dentist (where Karen worked). The last time I saw Kathy, her and Karen were entering Penney's at Sooner mall several years back. I was going out and they were going in, we stood and talked for quite awhile...never missed a beat. I was so shocked to hear she had passed. I was out of town the day of her memorial service held here in Norman. My mother went and commented on how many people came to share in her memory. Kathy and her family touched many lives and it was reflected in the numbers. My heart goes out to her family, husband and children. I will be at the Komen Race for the cure in Bricktown Oct. 9th. I invite everyone to come and show their support!
Sandra Musgrave (Beasley)
I remember Kathy from athletics. She and the gymnastics team were on one side of the girls gym and myself and the basketball team were on the other side. It was years later that she and I spoke on the phone. Our mothers graduated from Norman High together in 53' and had stayed in touch. In 2005 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was searching for others to get their experience. Our mothers were the ones that got us together. I called Kathy and she was so helpful and kind. Her bravery faced with this situation, was admirable. I will never forget her.