Gary McKeown, 80, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Saturday, August 12, 2023.
He was born November 20, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Patrick and Evelyn (Harkins) McKeown. He grew up in the Des Moines/West Des Moines area.
Right after graduating from high school, Gary enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served his country in San Diego during the Cuban Missile Crisis era.
Gary returned to West Des Moines after his active military service and worked for Delavan Manufacturing in the heat-treat department. He served four years of Naval Reserves at Fort Des Moines.
Gary married Jo Ranae Taylor on June 27, 1964. They moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, where he was a metallurgist for Eaton Corp. from 1970 until he retired in 1997. He worked various jobs after retirement.
In 2004, Jo retired and they moved to an acreage near Savannah, Missouri, then in 2009 they moved to their retirement home in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Gary enjoyed many years of camping and volunteering, and the 12 winters he and Jo spent at their home in Arizona.
Gary was a jack of all trades who could fix anything. He was deeply devoted to his family, who loved to hear his whistling and will greatly miss him.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Jo; children, Susan Carlisle (Dave) of St. Joseph, Stephanie Carter (Barry) of Omaha, Nebraska, Shawna Modlin (Jay) of Kansas City, Missouri, Tricia George (Chris Duke) of St. Joseph, Ryan McKeown (Rhonda) of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Heather Schultz (Jordan) of Auburn, Nebraska; grandchildren, Andrew and Jordan Carlisle, Jacob Carter (Cassidy), Megan Hough (Trevor), Kate and Holly Modlin, Carson and Stefan Loewe, Berkley George, Olivia, Alex and Bella Duke, Selena and DeVonte Perez, Davion Douglas-Beggs, Taylor and Mason Schultz; three great-grandchildren; sister, Sondra Short (Jackson) of Warrensburg, Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Monday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Inurnment Savannah Cemetery at a later date. Parish Rosary 5:30 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, where the family will gather with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
