Afton Station owner David Kane dies in an accident

David M. Kane, 74, owner of the Route 66 landmark Afton Station Route 66 Museum in Afton, Oklahoma, died Wednesday after an accident at his home in Grove, Oklahoma.

Kane’s daughter, Sarah, confirmed by text her father died when a piece of farm equipment fell on him as he was working on it. An employee at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office said by phone it investigated the accident.

Kane is survived by his wife, Sylvie; children Patrick and Sarah and her fiance, John; and a brother, John.

Kane’s previous wife and Afton Station’s co-owner, Laurel Kane, died in 2016 at age 69. She had greeted Route 66 travelers there several times a week for about 15 years. She posthumously was inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove. A celebration of life will be at 5 p.m. Monday at Kane’s home at 27400 S. 614 Road in Grove. A small meal will be served by Timbered-In Catering.

In lieu of flowers, mourners can send donations to: Grove Education Foundation for ExcellenceP.O. Box 453335, Grove, OK 74345-3335.

According to the obituary, Kane, who was based for decades on the East Coast, developed several patents for climate-control systems.

“An avid sportsman throughout the years, David was a sailor, master diver, fisherman, marksman, hunter, and most recently, he fostered his son Patrick’s powerboating career,” the obituary stated.

Upon his retirement in 1998, Kane purchased a dilapidated D-X gas station built in the 1930s along Route 66 in Afton, renovated it, and converted the building into a Route 66 welcome center and a museum for his collection of classic Packard vehicles and other memorabilia.

(Image of David M. Kane courtesy of Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home)

3 thoughts on “Afton Station owner David Kane dies in an accident

  1. I WAS IN THE ROUTE 66 IN AFTON WHEN THE WORKER GOT THE NEWS OF THE ACCIDENT, (SANDY CARNEY )SAD NEWS ( WALKING AROUND ADMIRING THE CARS ) FLY WITH EAGLES GOD BLESS !!!!! SANDY C… GREAT LOVE OF CARS AND ROUTE 66!!!!!! MUCH PRAYERS !!!!!!

  2. Thursday 6 Sep 2018 my wife and I were enjoying the old Packards when the clerk advised of the owners demise. Sad to hear. Apparently he accomplished much in such a short life. R.I.P. Mr. Kane, Lt Col (ret) John & Judy Patton

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