Maurice McKenzie

July 16, 1922 - July 17, 2013
Maurice William McKenzie
Maurice William "Mac" McKenzie, age 91, died peacefully at Huntsville Hospital Wednesday morning with Elaine, his beloved wife of 66 years, by his side.
He was born on July 16, 1922, to Karlene and William Cleveland McKenzie in Woodburn, Kentucky. Growing up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, he was the 4th of six children. He is survived by his wife Elaine, his daughter and son-in-law Maurine and Hal Avery of Pine Mountain, Georgia, his son and daughter-in-law Willie and Susan McKenzie of Grayson, Georgia, his grandchildren Zak Avery and wife Amanda of Pine Mountain, Georgia, and Caitlin McKenzie of Athens, Georgia, and a host of extended family members. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Hope McKenzie.
Mr. McKenzie was in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He was a B-25 bomber pilot serving in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he married and worked at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama. He and the family moved to Huntsville in 1959 when Mac took at position at Redstone Arsenal. He worked at NASA on the Saturn, Mercury, and Apollo Missions. He retired in 1974.
Always involved with his family, Mac spent many hours watching his daughter cheer for Huntsville Junior High School and his son play basketball for Grissom. Mac organized the first Indian Guides organization for the YMCA and coached many youth league sports teams.
In retirement, Mac's passion was golf. He and Elaine traveled throughout the southeast playing on as many golf courses as possible. He played until he was almost 90 with a group of close friends called the "Dun Workin' Duffers".
Mac was a member of Weatherly Heights Baptist Church. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Masons.
Mac was dearly loved by his wife, children, grandchildren, family members and friends. His quick smile and joyous laughter would light up any room he entered. He will be sorely missed.
Visitation will be Saturday, July 20, at 11:00 am at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church, 1306 Cannstatt Drive in Huntsville. The memorial service will follow immediately at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the church. Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting family.