Kenneth Robert McEown

Kenneth Robert McEown, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on December 8, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of humor, curiosity, and a lifelong love for the world around him. He was 67 years old. Born in California, he grew up with the ocean on one side and wide-open skies on the other—a combination that helped shape his adventurous spirit. From an early age, Kenny developed a deep fascination with the natural world, something that stayed with him throughout his life. Eventually, that love led him to Utah, drawn by the mountains, the quiet, and the endless places to explore. Utah became the setting of Kenny’s greatest adventures and the place he felt most at home. Kenny was incredibly smart in ways that couldn’t be taught in a classroom. He could read the outdoors like a book—weather patterns, animals, plants, and especially trees. He loved explaining why things were the way they were: why quakie trunks grew the way they did, how storms formed over ridgelines, what the land could tell you if you simply slowed down and paid attention. To those who loved him, these lessons became cherished memories that will last forever.

He had a wonderfully funny sense of humor and an offbeat view of life that made every story hilarious! He firmly believed in aliens and spoke about the universe with a sparkle in his eye, as if he knew secrets the rest of us hadn’t discovered yet. His teasing humor, curiosity, and unique way of thinking made him unforgettable.

The outdoors guided his life. Hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and especially “picking”—his word for heading into the hills in search of rocks—were some of his happiest moments. When he wasn’t “out in the bush,” he could often be found out back playing horseshoes or behind the lens of his camera, capturing the landscapes and quiet moments he loved so much. A shared love for rocks and the outdoors shaped the culture in which his children were raised, and became the foundation of the life he shared with Jayne Spainhower (Swan), the woman who became the mother of his children and the true love of his life, whom he married in 1982.

Above all, Kenny was a devoted father who left his children with stories, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the world outside. Some of their fondest memories are of him cruising in his yellow Jeep—wind in his hair, music playing, and nowhere he’d rather be than a dirt road with the sun setting behind him.

Kenny will be remembered for his humor, his wisdom, his stubborn streak, his gentle heart, and his free-spirited nature that never faded.

He is survived by his children: Chris (Audrey), Chellsea, Shandee (Steve), Sydnee (Jake), and Lexsea, who will miss him endlessly and honor him always.

“Look down or up,” he would say. “There’s always more out there than you think.”

Now Kenny has discovered what lies beyond, while his spirit continues to guide those who loved him

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date. For more information about the event or to donate to the family's GoFundMe page.- Click Here for the GoFundMe Link - Or email chellseamceown@gmail.com

Cremation will be held in the Magleby Mortuary and Cremation Center, Funeral Directors Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti