May 21, 1929 - July 14, 2009

Thomas Benton McCown, 80, of Florence passed away Tuesday at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.

Tom was born in Mobridge, S.D., to Karl V. and Marion "Chloie" (Akes) McCown. He was raised in Roseburg and was active in high school sports and FFA.

After graduation, he married Marian K. Nelson and they relocated to Lebanon and established "The Freezer" ice cream store. He later operated the Lebanon Coast-To-Coast store for several years and worked at Cascade Plywood before becoming self-employed in the auto wholesale business.

He married Florence E. Ornelas in 1990. They lived in Tucson, Ariz., Lebanon and most recently in Florence, where he owned and operated "Coastal Cash."

He is survived by his sons, Robert and wife Shannon of Lebanon, and Rod of Cascade, Idaho; daughter Karen and husband Charles Beshears of Lake Oswego; stepchildren Bernadette and husband Michael Peralta of Moriarty, N.M., Julie and husband Ken Newlin of Lynwood, Wash., and David and wife Cynthiana Ornelas of Prineville; sister Karla Seipels of Tucson; two nephews; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Tom was a gentle, easy-going man who will be missed by his family and friends. There will be no memorial service. A celebration of life will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355.