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Donald Everett McKenzie

1923 - 2016

Donald Everett McKenzie obituary, 1923-2016, Lodi, CA

BORN

1923

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Collin's Family Funeral Home Inc

123 North School Street

Lodi, California

Donald McKenzie Obituary

Donald Everett McKenzie, 92, passed away on February 14, 2016 in Lodi, CA. Don was born on September 22,1923 to Everett Thomas and Estella Lena McKenzie. He spent his entire life in the Lodi/Acampo area. As a 1942 graduate of Lodi Union High School, he was a member of the Ag FFA dairy judging team which won the state finals and placed 6th in the Nationals. His continued academic education at UC Davis was interrupted by WWII.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corp and after training in Montana and Pensacola; he was shipped to Amendola Air Field, Italy as a B17 copilot. Donald was shot down, crash-landing in Yugoslavia, spending the remaining months of the war in German POW camps. Despite the POW experience, his love of flying the B-17 was a cornerstone event of his life. His love of flight never diminished. He was awarded the Air Corp Medal and the European African Middle East Service Medal.
After returning home he married his high school sweetheart, Roberta (Sievers) whom he shared a devoted marriage of 59 years prior to her passing in 2006.
Together they owned and operated McKenzie Vineyards. He lived and breathed farming. He was a founding charter member of Lodi District Grape Growers Association, a director for the Tokay Marketing Agreement, Board member and Secretary of the Woodbridge Vineyard Association, member of Allied Grape Growers Co-op, Wine Growers Guild, and Woodbridge Vineyard Association. He was a lifelong member of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau. He was inducted into the San Joaquin Agricultural Hall of Fame.
He coached his sons numerous Little League baseball teams. An Eagle Scout himself, he was Scoutmaster for Troop 228 for numerous years, leading them to winning multiple Camporee competitions in the 49er District. He led many camping expeditions to Camp 49er and the back county above Lake Alpine.
He was a member and usher at the First Congregational Church for years, a lifelong member of the American Legion, and a member and President of the POW Delta chapter in San Joaquin County. He was a long time member of the Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation.
He is survived by his three sons; Douglas McKenzie(Sylvia) of Acampo, Leslie(Susan) McKenzie of Stockton, Dr.Thomas(Meg) McKenzie of Lodi, Grandchildren; Alexis McKenzie of Lodi, Kai McKenzie of Acampo, Tim(Melissa) McKenzie of Star,Idaho, Scott(Sabrina) McKenzie of Sacramento, Jeffrey(Nichole) McKenzie of Dublin, Jonathan McKenzie of Redwood City, and Michael McKenzie of Lodi. His great grandchildren; Madeline, Andrew, Journey, Audrina, and Kaige McKenzie. His sisters Audrey Boyd of Lodi and Ruth Neddarman of Castro Valley. He was preceded in death by his older sister Evelyn McKenzie.
We would like to extend a special thank you to all the caregivers at Vienna Convalescent for their professional compassionate care.
Viewing will be at Donahue Funeral Home, 123 N. School St, Lodi on Thursday 9am-4pm. A graveside service will take place at 1:00pm, Friday February 19 at Lodi Memorial Cemetery, 5750 East Pine Street. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2:30-4:15 at the Lodi Moose Lodge, 3824 East Woodbridge Road, Acampo, CA.
Memorial donations may be made to Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.
Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/guestbook.

Published by Lodi-News Sentinel from Feb. 17 to Feb. 23, 2016.
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald McKenzie

Sponsored by Collin's Family Funeral Home Inc.

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4 Entries

My family will always treasure the stories Grandpa Don shared with us. So very sorry to hear of his passing.

Wend Shipley

February 18, 2016

So sorry to hear about Tom's dad's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.

Lindsay and Jared Jalbert

February 18, 2016

Les and family,
My deepest sympathy at the passing of your father.
May God's hand comfort you and all the family at this time.

Stanley Kirst

February 17, 2016

Our condolences to all of the McKenzie family, Don will be missed! I know you will all remember the great times with him. Love, Larry and Joann Long.

February 17, 2016

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Memorial Events
for Donald McKenzie

Feb

18

Viewing

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Collin's Family Funeral Home Inc

123 North School Street, Lodi, CA 95240

Feb

19

Celebration of Life

2:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Lodi Moose Lodge

3824 East Woodbridge Road, Acampo, CA

Feb

19

Graveside service

1:00 p.m.

Lodi Memorial Cemetery

5750 East Pine Street, CA

Funeral services provided by:

Collin's Family Funeral Home Inc

123 North School Street, Lodi, CA 95240

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