James G. "Jim" Mckeown, Jr.

James G. McKeown Jr, 66, of Kershaw, SC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 7, 2017, at his home.

He was born on April 19, 1951, to the late James Greer McKeown Sr. and Jo Ann Frazer McKeown. Mr. McKeown was a graduate of Chester High School and attended the University of South Carolina where he majored in philosophy. He began his career working for his father at the Chester News and Reporter in his hometown of Chester, SC. Mr. McKeown worked in the circulation department before being promoted to sports reporter and eventually sports editor. He was later selected as editor of the Great Falls newspaper in Great Falls, SC.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pam McDow McKeown, who died in 2005.

Mr. McKeown is survived by his daughter, Sara Helen McKeown White, her husband Brian White and their son, Rowdy Cash White of Driggs, Idaho; a sister, Sara Ruth McKeown White and her husband, Frances White, Jr. of Newberry, SC; a brother, Joseph Frazer McKeown, and niece, Joan Greer McKeown of Rock Hill, SC; an aunt, Betty Jean McKeown of Chester, SC; an uncle, William Ross McKeown and his wife Peggy of Charlotte, NC; and two special bulldog friends, Mac and Moe McKeown. Mr. McKeown is also survived by his in-laws, Dr. William Lee McDow and his wife Sue Clements McDow along with brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Mr. McKeown was known mostly as the 32-year owner and publisher of The Kershaw News-Era, which he purchased in 1985 with his late wife. During his tenure, Mr. McKeown won numerous S.C. Press Association awards for editorials and news features.
When he wasn’t working tirelessly to produce a weekly edition of the newspaper, he loved listening to the South Carolina Gamecocks radio station and reading the latest Gamecock news on the internet. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, various small home projects and spending time with his canine friends. Mr. McKeown was also active in the community once serving as President of the Kershaw Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Kershaw Community Park Council until his passing.

The family will receive friends Thursday, December 14, 2017, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Kershaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. A memorial service will be held Friday, December 15, 2017, at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary Kershaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Burial will be private in the Kershaw City Cemetery. Rev. Bryant D. Fersner will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to the Kershaw Community Park Council, PO Box 83, Kershaw, SC 29067 and its initiative to revitalize Stevens Park, which Mr. McKeown deeply supported.