LEXINGTON: Richard “Rick” McKown had motor oil in his blood, adventure in his mind, and love in his heart. Rick, leaving behind him a legacy of selflessness, passed away on July 24, 2024 in his rural Lexington home.
Rick was born on February 12, 1950 to parents John and Betty (Matthews) McKown. He was the fifth of six siblings. At age twelve, he and his best friend were saved and baptized together one summer. Wanting to attend Sunday morning services, but always the adventurer, Rick would coast his dirt bike into town, rolling up to the church as quietly as possible. He graduated from Clear Fork High School in 1968, and subsequently worked for Westinghouse ConRail and US Auto Glass. In 1986, he began working at Glass Konnection in Mansfield where he was an owner and installer for nearly four decades. He enjoyed “running mobile,” and was rarely tied to a desk; it instead let him travel to different shops and spend time on his feet working on automobiles. On October 7, 2006, he wed Donna Rinehart, with whom he cherished 23 years together.
Although he had many nicknames, which he began accumulating from a young age, Rick’s grandchildren know him best as “Mud Man” and “Poppy.” He adored his large family, many of whom were bound to him not by blood but by love–pure and simple. Rick was tough as nails, and strong as an ox, but never failed to give those around him the best of his compassion and kindness. He crisscrossed 155 acres of land with trails where he took the kids out mudding. When they emerged from the woods with nothing clean but their teeth, he would encourage contests to see who was muddiest. Rick loved being outside, and when not riding four wheelers, he was often found in the barn, tinkering with anything with which he could tinker. Friends and family recall bonfire parties where he would add as much firewood as he could, stoking the flames and encouraging them to blaze as wild and hot as he could get them. He never failed to bring a spark of life and humor to any gathering, peppering conversations with wit and jokes everywhere he went.
Rick, as patriarch of the family, never failed to vet potential dates and boyfriends, always careful of the girls whom he loved. Although he was always stern and uncompromisingly protective at first, he always warmed up to the good ones. His unwaveringly kind and steadily giving nature gave his loved ones peace of mind, as they always knew they could rely on him when they needed help most, whether the help they needed was a laugh to brighten a tough day or a delivery of gas when broken down on the highway. Even when Rick was worn thin, his kindness and benevolence never tarnished; in the hospital, he thanked everyone who gave him care, from nurses to support staff. He was a determined man–determined to love, determined to care, determined to see the joy in hardship and the light in darkness. Although he was often ornery, Rick lived life in the most authentic way he could–by being his kind, witty, and giving self with no compromises
Rick is survived by his wife, Donna (Rinehart) McKown; daughters Sieglinde “Sig” (Mario) Ramirez of Ashland, Ohio; Alana (Ben) Ballou of Delaware, Ohio; Melissa (Zach) Rinehart of Mansfield, Ohio; siblings Judy (Vern) Thompson of Grand Island, Nebraska, Jim (Mary Lou) McKown of Redmond, Washington, Bob (Rhoda) McKown of Perrysville, Ohio, and Jeanne (Ron) Berger of Mansfield, Ohio; and grandchildren Alexander, Roman, Emma, Lily, Lucy, Cora, Eden, Ellie, and Emelia, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty McKown, and sister Kay Cline.
Loved ones are invited to join Rick’s family for calling hours on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 4 to 7pm and for a funeral service on Friday, August 2 at 11am. All services will take place at Snyder Funeral Homes, Bellville Butler Chapel.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to oversee Rick’s funeral arrangements and care for his family during this time. Share a message of support with Rick’s family – and watch Rick’s tribute video – online at: SnyderFuneralHomes.com
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Bellville Butler Chapel
Website: snyderfuneralhomes.com