Kenneth Filmore DeWees

Kenneth Filmore DeWees entered into eternal rest on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at his home on his horse farm in Fredericksburg, PA at the age of 88.

Born in Lebanon County, he was the son of the late Levi and Carrie (Gundrum) DeWees.

Affectionately known by friends as “The Outlaw”, Ken was a cowboy and proud owner of many special horses; enjoyed team roping at the Shartlesville Rodeo, steered an authentic chuck wagon at the PA Farm Show, and operated The Outlaw Mechanical Bull Company, which was always a huge hit at parties.

Ken loved anything with horsepower, beginning his early career as a mechanic operating DeWees Customs Autobody Shop in Lebanon, while competing in hill climbing on his Harley and drag racing each of his 3 race cars at the Hersheypark Stadium and Maple Grove and York Speedways. His 1960 right-hand drive Rolls Royce was the pride and joy of his car collection. In the summer, Ken enjoyed cruising his Corvette with the Lebanon Valley Corvette Club and snowmobiling with the Mt. Gretna Snowmobile Club in the winter.

Never one to sit still, he was also a young entrepreneur, owning several business’ that Lebanon locals may remember well, including The Godfather and Midway Taverns, the Fishnet Pet Shop, and The Raindancer Trading Company. He even dabbled in concert promoting under “KD Promotions”, bringing “The Trammps” to Lebanon during their 1970’s Saturday Night Fever fame. In his later years, Ken and his son David enjoyed their mutual hobby of taxidermy consignment together via The DeWees Trading Post.

Ken’s religion was riding his horse in the great wide open with Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” as the soundtrack.

He is survived by his closest immediate family, his son David (Rebecca) DeWees, grandchildren David John and Rachel DeWees, daughter Dana (Charlie) Howell, and other special family members and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 4th at 11 AM at Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078 with Rev. David D. Kreider officiating. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10 AM until time of the service at the funeral home. Burial in St. Paul’s Union Klopps Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ken’s memory to Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 North Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 or www.westernspirit.org/give/