Kenneth Ray Joggerst
Kenneth Ray Joggerst passed away on the evening of July 29, 2022 surrounded by his family.
Ken was born on May 10, 1948 to Herman (Mac) and Iona (Grass) Joggerst. Ken was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind his wife Mary Allsop and his two children, Brandon (Kim) Joggerst and Angela (Michael) Ratcliff, from a previous marriage to Maureen Murphy. He is also survived by his brother Carl (Becky) Joggerst and sisters Gail (Bill) Ruebsam, Joan (Dave) Winters, Jane (Marty) Donze, and Lynette (Brian) Klos.
He was also the proud grandfather to Brandon and Kim’s son, Kaden, and their two daughters, Kendall and Kenley and Angela and Michael’s son, Preston, and their daughter, Kennedy. He also loved his five step daughters: Emily Allsop-Arnold, Sarah Hays, Kathleen Hays, Lauren Allsop and Tara Kennedy.
Ken was born in Perryville, MO and grew up in St. Genevieve, MO. He attended Zell grade school where he was ranked in the top 10 of his class of nine students.
He graduated from Valle High School in 1966 where he was decorated athlete who excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He accepted an athletic scholarship to play football at Southeast Missouri State where he shined on the gridiron. He graduated in 1971 and would later receive his Master’s degree from SIU-Carbondale. He accepted his first teaching and coaching position 1971 at Pinckneyville High School, IL. He left Pinckneyville in 1974 for a position at Harrisburg High School, IL. In 1977, he became Harrisburg’s head football coach. During his four year tenure he amassed an incredible record of 37-6, including a state runner-up in 1980. He stepped away from teaching in 1982 to work for Franklin Life Insurance until 1989. While working for Franklin Life, he traveled and
presented at seminars across the country. He re-entered the education field and took the head football coaching job at Carterville High School, IL in 1989. He resigned from Carterville after the 1991-1992 school year to take the reins of the football program at West Frankfort High School, IL. He remained the head coach through the 1999 season and then retired from education. He was inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017.
Ken had a passion for golf and enjoyed playing numerous courses throughout his life. He was quick to remind you of his multiple holes in ones. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He eloquently delivered speeches or poems on many occasions and enjoyed entertaining with his larger than life personality. He was a mentor and inspiration for so many of his players, students, and family members. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal fan and former Big Red fan and quickly became a Battlehawks fan – kakaw! – after the Rams deserted St.
Louis. He often spoke highly of his visits to Busch Stadium with family and especially his Uncle Clem. He was very active in the Manchester Elks and helped with various philanthropic endeavors. He relished mingling at the Elks with his former classmates at their ‘Monday Lunch Club.’
Ken’s Celebration of Life will occur on Saturday, August 13 th at the Manchester Elks. The event will take place from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM. The address is 2242 Mason Lane Manchester, MO 63021. Ken will have an Elk’s ceremony at 12:00 PM honoring his life.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Angels’ Arms which helps foster families thrive in the St. Louis area.