Obituary of Douglas Winfield Ketcham

Sullivan County lost a legendary icon on Monday, January 13, 2025. Constable Douglas Ketcham died while on duty at the age of 73, doing what he loved, representing the Town of Bethel, which he held so dear. The overwhelming community response of love and support has shown the monumental impact he had on others. He will be deeply missed.

Doug was a well-known and respected constable, having served for the past 47 years for the Town of Bethel. He also commanded respect on the racetrack whether he was skillfully flagging or driving a race car. All of which he thoroughly enjoyed and put his heart and soul in.

He enjoyed spending quality time with his wife and canine kids, going snowmobiling in NH and attending many racing events throughout the summer.

From a very young age Doug was fascinated with anything that had an engine, especially race cars, airplanes and trains. He loved to discover new and interesting places that had anything related to the railroad, especially steam engines.  He competitively raced snowmobiles for several years before moving on to racing a mini sprint all over the Northeast for several more years. He was very proud that by using his ingenuity while building his own cars and motors, he was able to remain competitive despite having a low budget racing operation.

Doug was born on January 10, 1952, in Middletown NY to the late Winfield Coleman and Dolores Misner Ketcham. Doug is survived by his wife of 39 years, Gail L. Spafford, his sisters; Vicki and Kristina, sisters-in-law Lynn Heim of Wilmington NC, Barbara (Bob) Cady of Livingston Manor, NY, Cathy Spafford of Liberty, NY, brother-in-law Michael (Judy) Spafford of Liberty, NY, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara Benton, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Don and Millie Spafford; brothers-in-law, Jack Spafford and Maury Heim; and a great niece Madison Kortright.

Doug took great pride in donning the uniform every day to go out and to protect his community, but it is the relationships, trust, and rapport he built among the community through his many dedicated years of service that will serve as the benchmark of his legacy.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 21^st from 1:00-4:00pm at the Cornelius Duggan Elementary School, 3460 State Route 55, White Lake, NY 12786. Funeral services will be held at 4pm immediately following the visitation with full police honors. Cremation will be held privately.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 www.t2t.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home of Monticello. For further service information including staging information, flower delivery locations and options, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com .

Police Agencies, Fire Departments, EMS Corps, and all emergency vehicles sending members and or vehicles to be present in the procession and funeral services should stage at the Monticello Raceway main entrance (204 State Route 17B, Monticello, NY 12701), no later than 12:00pm, in line facing State Route 17B. The procession from the Funeral Home will pass directly by this location and will await all emergency vehicles and attendees to join before proceeding. Agencies with questions or confirming attendance with an approximate number of persons and vehicles/apparatus can contact Sergeant Blake Starner blake.starner@sullivanny.gov or direct voicemail 845-807-0843

Flowers sent from any family members should be delivered to the funeral home - all others should be delivered directly to the Duggan School to have displayed during the visitation and funeral service.