GLOUCESTER: Russell I. “Russ” McKown, 86, died Monday August 27, 2012 at his home. He was the beloved husband and soul mate of Judy (Lane) McKown. They had shared 49 years of marriage.
Born in Gloucester on September 11, 1925, he was the son of the late Irving P. and Bertha (Robertson) McKown. Russ was a graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1943.
Following his graduation he volunteered to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman Third Class in World War II from September, 1943 to April, 1946 and in the Korean War from September,1950 to January, 1952.
He was employed at Sears and Roebuck in Gloucester and Peabody for forty five years until his retirement.
Russ was a true baseball fan of the Boston Red Sox and he himself played in the adult league and also umpired for the Babe Ruth league. He bowled in the Main Street League, played golf and hiked the White Mountains with his wife every summer. Russ had an avid interest in, and read many books on Abraham Lincoln. Russell and Judy could be seen walking the boulevard every evening together.
Russ was an active member and life deacon at the First Baptist Church in Gloucester, where he served on many boards and committees, including as Church Clerk and Assistant Collector. He is a U.S.S. Waldron Alumni and a former member of the Amvets Post #32 and the Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia Lodge, AF & AM.
Russell was a nice, kind, gentle man who was well liked by all who knew him. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and will be greatly missed.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Shelley and Joseph Parco; grandchildren, who referred to him as “Bubba”, Felicia Gonzales, Brian and Ryker Bos; step grandchildren, Annette and Erica Parco; step great-granddaughter, Abigael Marie all of Gloucester and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his loving sister, Lula Frost who died June 6, 2012.
His funeral service will be held on Friday at the First Baptist Church, 38 Gloucester Ave. at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle St., Gloucester from 5 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment with Military Honors will be held in the Dolliver Memorial Cemetery, W. Gloucester. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the VNACare Network & Hospice, 5 Federal St., Danvers, MA 01923 or to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 38 Gloucester Ave., Gloucester 01930.