Charles Dee Keown

He attended Darlington School (Class of 1963), and he later received both a B.A. and M.A. (Personnel Management) from the University of Georgia. Throughout his years in school, he ran cross country and fostered his lifelong passion for sports. During his 20 years of service in the United States Navy and the U.S. Navy Reserve, he served in the Vietnam War, achieved the rank of Lt. Commander, and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for meritorious service.

Charlie founded Keown Real Estate Company in Rome. The company’s substantial growth was among his greatest accomplishments and the passion of his life. He was a dedicated member of the Rome Lions Club for 33 years, and he was given the Tom Bingham Fellow Award for his exemplary service. As a member of a Methodist church in Marietta, he relished the fellowship with his small group of fellow believers and close friends.

Charlie was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jan Stone Keown of Marietta, his daughter Mary Kathleen Keown and son-in-law John Wenger of New York, along with their children Evelyn (age 4) and John Michael (age 1), his brother and sister-in-law Mark and Stevie Keown of Chattanooga, his brother John Keown of Ellijay, and his brother Christopher Keown of Canton, his brother-in-law Edward Stone of Marietta, his sister-in-law Kaye Stone of Canton, as well as many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, his son Michael Walton, and his brother-in-law Joel Stone.

Throughout his blessed life, Charlie Keown was continuously on the “pursuit,” in business and in adventure, and he lived his life admirably and relentlessly. He was a man of unwavering faith and fervent bible-studying, an ardent Atlanta Braves fan (and an Atlanta United fan, as well), and a world traveler on his many “Charlie’s Adventures,” first with the Navy and then with his family, visiting numerous countries on six continents. He is so dearly missed, but he will live on in the hearts and lives of his family and friends until we see him again.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 17,2023 at 11:30 am at Myrtle Hill cemetery in Rome, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lion’s Lighthouse Foundation in Atlanta or Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind, Waycross, would be appreciated .

A Celebration of Life memorial luncheon will be held at a later date in Marietta.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Daniels-FuneralHome.com for the Keown family.