He watches us from Heaven, finally at peace after a long battle with heart disease. Joseph (Joe) left us to be with his eternal Father on April 14, 2011 . He passed peacefully at home with his loving wife Deanna by his side. A true gentleman, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, he will be greatly missed by those he has left behind.
Joe was born March 4, 1940 in Chico, California and later moved to Seattle, Washington where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1958. He met the love of his life, Deanna Fallmer in 1961 and they were married August 10, 1962 at Calvary Baptist Church in Seattle, WA. They experienced many loving memories over their almost 49 years together, including a daughter, a son and two grandsons.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and attended Arlington’s 3rd Ward. After joining the Mormon Church, Joe and Deanna were Sealed in Marriage in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1966 and received the blessing of the “Covenant of Eternal Marriage” ensuring that he will be united with his family for eternity in Heaven.
Joe was a true Pisces and always wanted to be one of the kids, so perhaps that is why all of his nieces and nephews have such fond memories of their times with him on family outings. Camping trips, days spent exploring parks, amusement centers, the beach, or just a long drive to find a new restaurant are just a few memories that will be cherished forever!
As a young man, Joe loved participating in sports, his favorites, baseball and basketball, were skills honed at the Wallingford Boys Club. Later in life he became an avid bowler and then learned to love the game of golf. Even when Joe became too ill to participate in sports he still loved to watch his favorite games on TV with his loving dog Heidi as his “Fur Rug” lap companion at his side.
For most of his life he enjoyed a career as Sales Manager for several Tool &Die Cast companies and finished his career consulting with Tool & Die Cast companies on sales and design until he retired in 2009.
He took pride in his Icelandic and Irish heritage and loved to travel. He was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Iceland in 2005 to meet some of his Icelandic relatives during the trip of a lifetime. His sister Patty surprised him with a Scandinavian cruise as part of their trip and then his brother Mike joined them in London prior to traveling to Iceland.
Joe had a great sense of adventure, whether at home, exploring the local areas, or traveling to many parts of the world. He loved to cruise from his first experience on a Disney Cruise Ship to his last cruise with Holland America, on the Mexican Rivera.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Hans McKeown, grandmother, Ione McKeown, father, Joseph McKeown and mother, Ruth McKeown.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of almost 49 years, Deanna, his daughter Tami Myers, Son-in-law Steve and grandson’s Joshua and Preston, son Robert (Robbie) McKeown, brother Michael McKeown and wife Donna and sister, Patricia McKeown. He was a true “Brother” to Sister-in-law’s Patricia Thomas and Terry Roth, along with Terry’s husband, Greg, who shares his Irish heritage and boyish sense of life.
Oh gentle man, you will be sorely missed by those who love you. The world is not as bright a place without your smile, your love, your gentle hand. Until we meet again in Heaven, be at peace, but know your passing has left a hole in our hearts no one else can fill.
Per Joe’s wishes, there will be no funeral, however, in keeping with his Irish heritage a Memorial Service/Wake will be held at a later date in July, including a private family internment at Floral Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be given to the following two organizations:
St Jude’s Children’s Hospital – www.stjude.org.
Skagit Hospice Foundation – 1415 E Kincaid St, Mt Vernon, WA 98274.
