Ketchum – Navajo Code Talker – passes on
TUBA CITY
Navajo Code Talker Bahe Ketchum smiles during an interview during a graduation at Rainbow City, Utah. Ketchum’s son, Marvin Ketchum, said his father passed on sometime on Monday morning. He was 96. (Time photo – Krista Allen)
Bahe Ketchum, a member of an elite group of Marines who helped create the only unbroken code in modern military history, died Monday morning. He was 96.
Ketchum, a Navajo Code Talker, was born Jan. 15, 1919 and lived in Naatsis’áán, Ariz. for more than 60 years. He is survived by nine sons and two daughters. His wife deceased in 2006.
“A lot of people looked at him as a community person,” said his son, Marvin Ketchum in an interview with the Navajo Times on Monday afternoon. “After the war, when he came back, he did a lot for the community (Naatsis’áán) as a chapter official and a representative.
“He did a lot for Shonto and Ts’ahbiikin chapters (as well),” he added.
Upon discharge from the Marines, Ketchum returned home to north Western Navajo where he raised a family and maintained livestock.
Marvin said his father suffered a number of injuries, falls that have sent him to the hospital within the last couple of months. After a recent surgery, Marvin said his father developed pneumonia.
Ketchum also leaves behind a lasting imprint on the Navajo Nation.
In 1955, Ketchum served as the Navajo Mountain Chapter vice president. He also served as the secretary-treasure from 1963 to 1975. In addition, Ketchum served as an archeological society guide and a community health representative.
Ketchum was Tł’ízíłání (Many Goats Clan) and born for the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan).
There will be a meeting for Ketchum at Navajo Mountain Chapter tomorrow evening (June 9). The time is still unconfirmed.
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