John Thomas McKeown

John Thomas McKeown, 88, of Advance, NC passed away September 14, 2026, peacefully at his home.

Mr. McKeown was born November 19, 1937, in Winston-Salem, NC in Forsyth County, to Raymond John McKeown and Phoebe Lawrence McKeown. John attended Griffith High School and graduated from the class of 1956. He proudly served his country in the United States Army for 6 years. An alumnus of both Moravian College (1964) and Lehigh University (1968) in Bethlehem, PA, John was a lifelong educator, starting his career teaching reading in Easton (Pennsylvania) Area School District and retiring after decades of university administration as Director of Admissions at Moravian College (Bethlehem, PA) then Associate Director of Financial Aid at Kutztown University (Kutztown, PA). In his post-retirement life, he drove school bus for the Bethlehem Area School District and enjoyed traveling with his family. His faith was very important to him as a member of Clemmons Moravian Church, as well as a founding member of East Hills Moravian Church in Bethlehem, PA. John was an avid reader and adored his family. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Anita Groenfeldt McKeown; two brothers, R.J. McKeown, and Kenneth McKeown; and one brother in-law, Raymond Veach.

Left to cherish his memory are three sons, Matthew, Adam, and Joshua McKeown; four grandchildren, Phoebe, Sophie, Jane Ray, and John; one sister, Frances Veach; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and Christopher Hegstrom, son of Anita.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be directed to East Hills Moravian Church in Bethlehem, PA or Clemmons Moravian Church in Clemmons, NC through the Moravian Ministries Foundation: https://www.mmfa.com/giving-portal/