Sheppard A. "Mac" McKenzie Jr.

Sheppard A. “Mac” McKenzie, Jr., 92, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, real estate broker and well-respected business man, passed away peacefully at his home near Mount Vernon in Alexandria, VA on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2009. Col. McKenzie, a Mount Vernon resident for 39 years, was born into a large and loving farm family from Mullins, SC on March 19, 1917. His father, Sheppard, and mother, Sallie, instilled a love of family and church as well as the importance of a good education. All of his brothers and sisters attended college and remained close to each other all of their lives. After graduating from Clemson University in 1940 and a year teaching high school, he enrolled in flight school in Texas where he earned his wings as a fighter pilot. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force and shipped to England aboard the Queen Mary, in September of 1942. Col. McKenzie’s long and distinguished Air Force career began with his flying a P-39 south from England to Gibraltar as part of the Allies’ Operation Torch Campaign in December 1942, sustaining heavy damage by attacking war planes. Over the next 32 months and until the end of World War II, Col. McKenzie served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, earning five Bronze Service Stars. At the end of the war, when he was stationed in Naples, Italy, he met and married the “love of his life,” Bianca Maria Famiglietti. He was subsequently assigned to the U.S. Army Occupation Forces in Germany, where in 1948, he continuously flew in desperately needed supplies to the besieged city of Berlin. In addition to his pilot duties, Col. McKenzie served in the Office of Special Investigations in Europe and in the office of the Inspector General in the United States. He retired in 1969, ending 28 years of continuous military service to his country. His numerous decorations included the Air Force Commendation Medal (1965), the Air Medal (1946), and the Medal for Humane Action (for the Berlin Airlift). Upon retirement from active duty, Col. McKenzie became a successful real estate broker and investor in the northern Virginia area. In the 1990’s he began developing and building many resort homes along the North Carolina coast with his son. A faithful Christian, Col. McKenzie accompanied his wife to Good Shepherd Catholic Church nearly every Sunday for many years until severe illness intervened. We rejoice with full hearts that our beloved Dad, Husband, Brother, Papa is now in heaven in the loving embrace of family members and friends that have passed away before him. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bianca Maria McKenzie; his brother, Oscar K. McKenzie and wife, Betty of Mullins, SC; his son, Dr. Sheppard A. McKenzie III and wife, Sandy of Raleigh, NC; his son, Victor B. McKenzie and wife, Libba of Alexandria, VA; his grandchildren, Alison McKenzie Christianson and husband, Marc; Dr. Sheppard A. McKenzie IV and wife, Katie; Jacob Charles McKenzie and wife, Meghan; Jennifer Adams McKenzie and Elizabeth Baker McKenzie;his great-grandchildren, Marc David Christianson Jr.; Owen McKenzie Christianson; William Mathew Christianson and Sheppard Allen McKenzie V. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Interment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on January 20, 2010 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Memorial gifts may be made to Capital Hospice, 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, VA 22042.