Dan Miles McKown

Dan was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He was very intelligent, he loved to play ice hockey and attended Morgan Park Academy where he participated in wrestling and graduated in 1966. When asked what college he would be attending in his class room, the students all told fellow classmates where they were going. Dan told his class he would be going to the University of Miami and when everyone laughed, he said you laugh but I'm the only one who was accepted to a University on the east coast!

After graduation he moved with his family to Dunedin, Florida. He attended the University of Miami for 3 years.

He met Sharon White Sullivan and fell in love, they were married in April 1969. He worked in automotive paint and body repairs.

Obituary

Dan M. McKown, Sr., 65, passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, December 18, 2013 at Mease Countryside Hospital after a valiant battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Stephanie R. Cavoores, son Dan M. McKown, Jr., daughter-in-law Sonia McKown, son-in-law Theodore G. Cavoores, Jr. and four grandchildren: Kyle, Rachel, Michel McKown and Zachary Cavoores. Dan is also survived by his four siblings: Karen Glassner, MariJo Beck, William McKown and Lori Charon. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Duncan and Gloria McKown and brother Michael McKown.

Dan was the owner of Sanders Paint and Body Shop located in Safety Harbor, FL. For almost 40 years, Dan has provided this area with exceptional auto body repair services. He is well known for building exceptional street rods for a number of major league ball players as well as being a valued friend. Dan took pride in his work and would not deliver any car that did not have his stamp of approval. He enjoyed the challenge that each project presented him and was always enthusiastic about how he could improve the car's capabilities. Dan was also known for his giving nature. He was always taking time to give guidance as well as help his friends when they needed him. You would find Dan at his shop most of the time hunched over a car trying to get it into the best shape he could. This was truly his forte.

Outside of cars, Dan loved the game of golf and has played since he was a teenager in Chicago, IL. He always referred to the group he played with as the "Dew Chasers" as they always had a 7:00am tee off time Saturdays and Sundays. He had one of the best swings and a very long drive.

Dan treasured his family and the moments he spent with them. He had a deep love for his wife of 44 years, Sharon. He adored his daughter and son with his whole heart. His grandchildren meant the world to him, and he loved engaging in conversations with them. Dan was proud of his family and the accomplishments and successes they had found. They were dear to his heart.

We, the family, will miss Dan and the good times we spent together. We have wonderful memories which we will keep him in our hearts forever.

The family will have a private gathering to celebrate his life after Christmas.