Obituary of Joe McKown

Funeral services for Joe McKown, 82, of McDonald, NM will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 2:00 pm at New Beginnings Church in Lovington, NM with Pastor David Villar officiating. Burial will follow at Tatum Cemetery. Mr. McKown was born on June 29, 1936 in Winters, TX to Richard Erby and Mary Katherine (Wilson) McKown and passed away on April 5, 2019 at his residence in McDonald. Joe had lived in Tatum from the time he was ten years old till he graduated there. He attended ENMU for a short while after graduation. He married Jimmie "Gem" Wells at Tatum Methodist Church on September 30, 1963 and they have shared fifty six years together. His passion was farming and he leased his first farm at an early age in the Prairieview and McDonald area. He was the first producer to introduce Limousin pure bred cattle in New Mexico and also one of the first to grow corn in this area. Joe served on the Lea County Fair Board for eleven years and the Lea County Farm Services for many years. He was a very hard worker and taught his children his work ethics. At age 76 he developed a 2900 acre organic farm. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved helping people. He was a member of the Lovington Country Club and was a big part of the "2nd nine holes" being added at the country club. Joe was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing pool, something he was very good doing. He was a well-liked man and loved his family and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents and one brother: Billy R. McKown. Surviving him is his wife, Gem of the home; one son: Joe Craig McKown of Seminole, TX; two daughters: Kallie and husband Ronney Windsor of Lovington and Shanna and husband Shane Burt of Lovington; seven grandchildren: Andy and Cristina Wilhoit, Trace and Whitney Wilhoit, Malachi Burt, Joey Burt, Chanceton Watson, Mae McKown and Jacy McKown and five great-grandchildren: Aryana, Stephanie, Rhett, Andrew and River and a host of friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Alzheimers in memory of Joe.