Antoine J. McKinzie

Army Cpl. Antoine J. McKinzie 25, of Indianapolis, died Tuesday, March 21, 2006, while conducting a combat security patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. He was born on Feb. 25, 1981, in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Indiana. An aspiring artist with a talent for drawing and design, he graduated from Pike High School in Indianapolis and earned an associate's degree in computer-aided design from ITT Technical Institute. In his short life, Antoine will always be remembered for his gregarious spirit, fun loving nature and can-do attitude. His friends and relatives called him the "Gentle Giant", reflecting his kindness and impressive stature. In a letter from his commanding officer, Lt. Col. James W. Danna III, Antoine was described as "more than just a good soldier, he was a good friend, one that was always there for his comrades." Danna also called Antoine a "true hero... whose spirit will live on forever." Antoine's loving family and many friends will miss him greatly. He is survived by his mother, Zyvonne A. Adams, and stepfather, Dwight Adams, both of Indianapolis; father, Jay Dee Canada of Kansas City, MO; brother William Adams and sister Olivia Adams, both of Indianapolis; three grandmothers, Lois Payne of Fort Worth, Texas; Patricia K. Adams of Warwick, R.I.; and Lovie Mae Canada of Des Moines, Iowa; a grandfather, John McKinzie of Missouri, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. at the Pike Performing Arts Center in Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 11, with calling from 3 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 10, at the Crown Hill Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Field of Valor at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. Donations may be sent in his memory to: MSD of Pike Township, attention: Antoine J. McKinzie Scholarship Fund, 6901 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Online condolences at: www.crownhill.org