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.
My deepest heartfelt condolences to the Family of Ken. I remember him when I was a student at Harrisburg High School! All the students seemed to like him. He had a great personality that related to our generation! Always treated our family nice! Prayers for comfort and strength as you face the days ahead of you!
Nona (Moss) Rice and The Moss Family
So very sad. I remember Ken fro West Frankfort High School. My boys loved him.
Words do not express the sadness I feel for you all in your loss. Sending my heartfelt sympathy and prayers to comfort you and give you strength to face the days ahead. Much love Di Allsop and family🙏
I was so lucky to meet Ken (and Bruce)my 1st day of football practice. I didn’t know anyone and they made me feel welcome in a lonely place at that time. Ken was a great teammate, as well as a champion football player and honorable frat brother. He made my time at SEMO a memorable, wonderful, fun time that I will cherish forever.
Ken was always so kind to my family and me and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have known him.
Sending my deepest sympathy and courage to take small steps each day and be gentle on yourselves while you mourn this amazing man. Sending gods prayers of peace, strength and hope to support your through each day xox warm regards Julia Allsop
Very sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. I always enjoyed chatting with him and hearing his stories. May he Rest In Peace.
I just read Kenny’s obituary. What a lovely tribute to Kenny who was loved by his many friends and family. I send my sincere sympathy to Gail & Bill and to all of Kenny’s family. Jimi
Gail and all the family,
Sorry for your loss. May God meet him with open arms.
Karla Huck
Ken will be missed at the elks and the great discussions on just about anything. Jeff
Yog was a wonderful person who left behind countless friends. I’ll never forget his smile, sense of humor and gentle nature.
We met many years ago in Cape and it was friends like you that made those days some of the best. God bless you Kenny and heartfelt condolences to your wife, and family.
Hey Jog, rest in peace. My condolences to the family. I met Ken in 1967 at SEMO at our first football practice of the 1967 season. He and Joe Scott would always say hello to us lowly freshmen at practice. I miss those times of my life and the people I met such as Ken.. He was a good man and will be missed.
My deepest sympathy to the family. Ken was a great man who will be missed so much!! We both like sports a lot and he would always ask me about my son who played baseball. We had so many great conversations and after reading the obituary I believe I knew all these wonderful things about Ken. I will miss seeing him at the Elks lodge. RIP Ken
Ken was one of my best friends at SEMO . We were teammates on the football team 1966-1970 . I was the Split end and “Yog” was the Tight End on our 1969 season . He was my friend and an inspiration to me in football and in life . Ken gave me my first golf lesson and I will always remember Ken singing Hank Williams “ Your Cheating Heart “ What a great man and friend ! RIP my brother ! 👍🏻🙌💥🙏