Gene died unexpectedly at his Arlington, VA home on May 9th 2024. He was 93 years old. Gene was born to Wilbur B. and Isabel R. (Kirkpatrick) McKean on December 29, 1930. He also had a younger brother Richard D. McKean. Gene was married to Angela M. McKean (Condon). All who have preceded him in death.
He is survived by one son, Eric E. McKean and one grandson, Joseph E. McKean, both of Arlington, VA.
Mr. McKean was born in Waynesboro, PA. He then moved to Woodbury, NJ for his childhood and returned back to Waynesboro to work on his uncle’s farm during WW II.
Gene moved back to Waynesboro and graduated High School from Mechanicsburg High School, class 1949. After high school he attended Penn State and then Elizabethtown College where he graduated in 1953 with a Bachelors in Science degree in Business.
After graduation, he joined the US Army. He served during the Korean War. He attained the rank of Tank Commander – Sergeant while supporting the command staff for 47th Infantry Division located in Fort Benning, GA. After being honorably discharged from the US Army he moved to Arlington, VA.
He continued his service to the US Government and began working for the US Treasury Department – Internal Revenue Service. Mr. McKean continued to work for the Internal Revenue Service until he retired in 1987. He had attained the title of District Director’s Representative for the Baltimore District.
Gene was once a longtime member of Walker Chapel United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA. He was a very active member in the 80’s through the 2000’s. He assisted in pastoral visits to homes, hospitals, and convalescent homes, Meals on Wheels, the United Methodist Men’s club sponsored events and fundraisers. He also assisted being a point of contact of visiting youth from around the US to the church who stayed there. He was the Treasurer of the United Methodist Men’s club for 9 years. He is also an usher on Sundays. Mr. McKean then joined Trinity United Methodist Church in McLean, Virginia. He was a regular attending member and was ever present at their early service every Sunday.
Gene was an avid Civitan. He first became acquainted with the Civitan organization in Arlington, Virginia in 1988 and joined their club. This is where he began his long time volunteering with such items as the Civitan Arlington Community Garage Sale and the many duties he held.
After transferring to the Tysons Corner Club, he shared his Civitan passion with his wife Angela by brining her onboard. He enjoyed this probably the most since he could see the direct results of his good deeds in action.
Mr. McKean was awarded the Civitan International Medallion Member for 25 Years Dedicated Service in April 2013. Mr. McKean was also awarded a Fellowship in his honor.
Mr. McKean remained a Civitan for 31 years. He enjoyed the friendship and considered it an honor to perform this civic duty.
Gene will have a Celebration of life ceremony at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd. McLean, Virginia 22101. This will be held on June 29th at 1PM. There will be a lunch reception to follow. (Please plan to stay, Gene would never miss a chance to converse with friends and he would want to see his friends this day.)
Mr. McKean will be interred in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, PA.
Gene will be missed by many. His infectious smile, kindness, gentle demeanor, and being an all-around friend to many, he will be greatly missed. There were only two types of people in his world. You were either his friend or just a friend he has not met yet.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
