Kenneth T. McKown
November 25th, 2009First Churches member Kenneth T. McKown, 89, of South Street, died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at his home.
Born in Northampton, he was the son of the late Charles T. and Lena (Witherell) McKown. Kenneth attended local schools, graduating from Northampton High School. He attended Indiana Tech following high school, but put his studies on hold to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1942. Kenneth served as a tech/4 in the 2015th Ordnance Maintenance Company and was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star for his service. He later continued his service with the Air National Guard at Barnes Airport and had been stationed in France during the Berlin crisis. Following his service during World War II, Kenneth completed his education at the former Boston Trade Shops School.
He initially worked for Sears, the former Jeffway Hatch and Harris Radio companies of Easthampton and eventually began a career at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he was an electronic technician working out of the School of Education.
He retired from UMass in 1985. Kenneth was a member of First Churches in Northampton for many years. He was very active in scouting and had been leader of Troop 105 for many years. In 1969 he was awarded the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver award. Kenneth was a life member and past commander of the Disabled American Veterans of Florence; a life member of the VFW Michael Curtin Post in Florence and also was a life member of the American Legion Club of Easthampton. He was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Pioneer Valley Mineral Club and the AARL Ham Radio association.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth (Wright) McKown; three daughters, Jean McMahon and her husband Patrick of Granville, Nancy Waters and her husband James of Coventry, R.I., and Marcia Kennick and her husband Christopher of Northampton; seven grandchildren, Andrea, Heather, David, Timothy, Jonathan, Christopher and Steven; five great-grandchildren, Joseph, Conner, Cole, Quinn and Ryan; a nephew, Joseph Burleski of Cheyenne, Wyo., and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Viola Cole.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. at First Churches, 129 Main St., Northampton. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Bridge Street Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Campaign at First Churches, 129 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060; the Disabled American Veterans; or to the Boy Scouts of America, Western Mass Council. Pease and Gay Funeral Service of Northampton has been entrusted with Kenneth’s care and arrangements. www.peaseandgay.com.