Donald Gene McKeown passed away peacefully at the age of 91 this past Thursday November 20th.

Born March 15 , 1934 in Battle Creek Michigan to Eugene D McKeown and Stella M McKeown ( nee Barnhart) , his journey was an eventful one. Donald lived in national parks all of his childhood, and called 16 different places home from Glacier National Park in Montana to Acadia National Park in Maine. His many stories of fishing in the Flathead River, a moose poking its head in his bedroom window at night, rattlesnakes in South Dakota and our favorite of all- running into John D Rockefeller Jr in Acadia, delighted us children and our grandchildren for years.

Donald enlisted in the US Air Force during the Korean conflict as an aircraft mechanic. While stationed in Texas, Donald worked part time as a DJ @KVOZ radio. He learned later that his broadcasts were heard by at least one well known artist by the name of Mac Davis who shared a story of hearing Dad teasing an up and coming artist by the name of Elvis Presley.

Donald married our mother Mary McKeown (nee Morony) in December of 1956 in Laredo, Texas. Mom followed where Dad led. First finishing a degree at Western Carolina College. During this time, a young singing quartet known as the Oak Ridge Boys, invited Dad to join their group. Honored by the offer, he graciously declined saying, " I don't want to sing for money". Mom and Dad then started their family, eventually landing in New Jersey. While there, Dad started a job with Curtiss Wright where he honed his skills in engineering. Donald also converted to Catholicism which remained a guiding light the rest of his life.

Around 1966, he learned of an opportunity with Eastman Kodak in Rochester. Accepting their offer, he packed up the wagon and brought us to Western NY. His long career there gave our family the security and the place we called home in Warsaw for the next 25 years. And there he retired in 1991.

Prior to and during retirement, Dad worked in Acadia National Park in Maine, Homosassa Springs State Park in Florida, and was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Florida. He also volunteered for WXXI Reach Out Radio as well as the Civil Air Patrol, Angel Action and at Wyoming County Community Hospital.

Dad will be remembered for a number of things not the least of which was his booming voice, quick wit, terrific story telling, being a barber shopper, his competitive spirit, and a high IQ that he would often say he " out smarted himself ''. His gentle spirit engaged many a young child who always gleamed with rapt attention.

He had many affectionate nicknames including Yogi, Boss, The Great One, Donnie, Grampy, Gramps, Yesac, Pops, Monkey, Big Grampa, BG and perhaps our favorite of all- Dad.

He is predeceased by our mother Mary, who passed away in 2014. He is survived by two sisters, Barbara Rembert of Nashville TN and Adella Paden of Frederick, MD. 5 children- Donald McKeown (Laurie) of Warsaw, NY. Katherine McKeown (Michael Desorda) of Prescott, Arizona. Carolyn Kovach (Philip) of Leroy NY. John McKeown (Maureen) of Rome, NY and David McKeown (Vicky) of Warsaw, NY. 14 Grandchildren. 14 Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Friends of Donald McKeown may call on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 from 4-6pm at the Weeks Funeral Home 123 N. Main Street Warsaw, NY 14569. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Wednesday, November 26 at St. Michael's Church in Warsaw followed by full military honors outside the church. Burial will be private at a later date in St. Michael's cemetery. Please visit www.weeksfuneral.com to offer condolences, send cards, light a candle or to plant a tree in Don's name.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to St Michael's Choir in Warsaw NY.