Kenneth Ray Joggerst, Hall of Fame football coach for southern Illinois high schools
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.
Ken 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 stepdaughters, Emily Allsop-Arnold, Sarah Hays, Kathleen Hays, Lauren Allsop and Tara Kennedy.
Ken was born in Perryville, Missouri and grew up in St. Genevieve, Missouri. He attended Zell grade school where he was ranked in the top 10 of his class of nine students.
A decorated athlete who excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track, he graduated from Valle High School in 1966. 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 in 1971 at Pinckneyville (IL) Community High School, and left Pinckneyville in 1974 for a position at Harrisburg (IL) High School. 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 team 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 in 1989 and took the head football coaching job at Carterville (IL) High School. He resigned from Carterville after the 1991-1992 school year to take the reins of the football program at West Frankfort (IL) High School, where 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-one. 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 be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Manchester Elks, 2242 Mason Lane, Manchester, MO 63021. An Elks ceremony honoring his life will be held at noon.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to Angels' Arms, which helps foster families thrive in the St. Louis area.