Leon Craig MacKown

Mr. Leon Craig MacKown, 83, of Frederick died Sunday, October 2, 2016 of natural causes at Sunrise Assisted Living in Frederick.

Born May 8, 1933 in New York, New York, Craig was the only child of the late Wayne and Mildred MacKown.

His youth was spent living in the Utopian Community Mansion House in Oneida, NY, where the central values were based upon self improvement of one's spiritual state, character and intellect, and communal sharing of capital and property. While he was an only child, life at the large, rambling mansion house gave Craig the feeling of having dozens of siblings.

His educational years were spent attending Phillips Academy Andover and graduating from Haverford College.

The majority of Craig's work life centered around being a writer. He was a reporter for the Hartford Times early on and settled in as a writer for the American Bankers Assoc. in Washington, DC, including traveling nationwide for ABA meeting coverage. He found extra work when needed in the 1970s as a part time cab driver on weekends around the DC area and for a real estate company in the Silver Spring area for a short period.

His interest and love for the game of soccer had him coaching a youth team, refereeing for youth and adult leagues and actually playing on a "35 years old and up" adult soccer league. Other interests included sailing, music, classic cars and spending time with his family. His "How can I Help" attitude was infectious and his sense of clothing style, including caps/hats, brought a smile to family and friends faces.

He was preceded in death by two wives, Judith Ahearn MacKown (1985) and Janice Church MacKown (2016). In addition, Craig is survived by three sons, Daniel MacKown (wife Kimberely) of New Windsor, Stephen MacKown (wife Deborah) of New Market and Christopher Bruce MacKown of Orange, CA; and step-children, Claire Church Brodd (husband Keith), Peggy Church Bulbulian (husband Ron) and preceded in death by (Maury) Curtis Church.

Craig is also survived by grandchildren, Stephen (Drew) A. MacKown, Collin S. MacKown, John Paul Brodd, Nicolas Brodd, Joshua Brodd, Grace Waitt Matthews (husband Willie Matthews), Emly Waitt Petersen (hsuband Joe Petersen), Rowan Church; several great-grandchildren and extended family.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd., Mt. Airy, where a memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Art Monroe.

Interment will be private.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.