John Knox McEwen, III

John Knox McEwen III, born in Annapolis, Maryland, on July 12, 1974, peacefully passed away on February 3, 2026, at the age of 51. He is survived by his loving mother DiAnne, his younger brother Trent, his beloved son Daniel, and all his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

John’s childhood was marked by family moves that would shape his adventurous spirit. After his earliest years in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the family relocated to Laplace, Louisiana, where John enjoyed playing with neighborhood friends, before ultimately returning to Fredericksburg in the early 1980s, where he spent the remainder of his youth. Those years were filled with treasured memories: summer vacations traveling the world with his family, hiking and camping in the Appalachian Mountains, Christmas gatherings with extended family in Clarksville, Indiana, and winter skiing trips to Colorado. Among his most cherished memories were canoeing down the Rappahannock River with his father and camping upon the shores under starry night skies.

Music and the arts were always within John’s soul. Though he played trumpet in the middle school band, his life was forever transformed when he received his first drum set—and the musical journey of Johnny Mac truly began. In the years that followed, he formed numerous garage rock bands with friends, spending countless afternoons and early evenings rehearsing before eventually booking gigs at local venues in downtown Fredericksburg. After spending his junior year at Christchurch School in Virginia, where he continued his studies and played on the varsity soccer team, John returned to Fredericksburg and graduated from Stafford Senior High School in 1992.

Following graduation, John moved to Athens, Georgia, to continue his musical pursuit. A year later, he enrolled at Radford University, where his love for nature flourished through hiking and camping in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. It was at Radford that John acquired his first 4-track recorder, immediately putting it to use recording and mixing jam sessions with friends and acquaintances, quickly establishing himself in Radford’s musical scene. After backpacking solo through Europe during the summer of his junior year, he returned to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science.

After college, John settled in Richmond, Virginia, working for DHL as a delivery driver. He set up his own recording studio in the main room of his house, continuing to record and mix jam sessions with friends. After several years in Richmond, the call of the West became too strong to ignore. John transferred within DHL and moved to San Francisco, California.

After a brief stay in Sausalito, John found a flat on Haight Street at Masonic Avenue in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Haight-Ashbury district, where he immersed himself in the city’s rich musical and cultural scene. He spent his days exploring the dramatic, rocky coastline with its wind-swept, rugged landscape of hidden coves and bluffs, often witnessing some of the most beautiful sunsets the world has to offer. From bonfires on the beach to navigating the city’s winding, hilly streets, John truly loved his life in San Francisco. Eventually, when the time came to return to the East Coast, he spent several months visiting his parents in New Bern, North Carolina, before making his way to the Outer Banks.

Already knowing many friends from high school and college, John quickly made a name for himself and found a home on the Outer Banks. He bartended at Ramada’s iconic oceanfront deck bar and managed catering events for the hotel. Music remained an integral part of his life as he continued jamming with friends at bars up and down the beach and even played a live session for a local radio station.

The most important event of John’s life occurred on July 2, 2011, when his son Daniel was born. From the very beginning, John was an extraordinarily loving and devoted father. He frequently traveled to New Bern so his parents could spend time with their grandchild, creating some of the happiest years of all their lives. It was evident to everyone that Daniel was the light of John’s life—John beamed with pride at his son’s accomplishments and the remarkable young man Daniel was becoming before his eyes.

During his time on the Outer Banks, John worked at many bars and restaurants, including the Brew Station, The Paper Canoe, and Awful Arthur’s. However, what he will be most remembered for is his kindheartedness and genuine personality, incomparable to others. John’s love of music was his life’s true passion—he could play just about any instrument handed to him and play it well. He was also a voracious reader, studying music history, world history, world religions, and mysticism.

To say John will be missed by many is an understatement. His smile, his loving ways, and his selflessness will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew him.

Details of his memorial service will be announced at a later date. Please share condolences with the family on-line at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.