Jerry McKenzie
<p>Jerry McKenzie was born on July 24th,1935 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the late William Yancey McKenzie and Minnie Bailey McKenzie. He graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga, then attended McCallie School in advance of studying engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He participated in ROTC through high school and college and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at Georgia Tech. Upon graduation, he was stationed in Aberdeen, Maryland, fulfilling 6 months of active duty in the Army. Here he met and then married his wife of 63 years, Gertrude (Sandie) Oliver. His career in industrial engineering led to plant management roles in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and ultimately Lexington, North Carolina. Here Jerry embarked on his most ambitious engineering project yet: constructing a farmhouse and two barns that he and Sandie would occupy for almost 45 years. Jerry had an immense love for all creatures great and small – their home and barns were always filled with cats, horses, and (briefly) cows.</p><p><br></p><p>Jerry participated in his community around him. He was a member of the Rotary Club for almost 50 years, was on the Board of the Lexington YMCA, and served a term as president of both organizations. He also was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, NC as well as the local Chamber of Commerce. He continued volunteering his time when he retired to Salemtown by serving on various committees and helping with small construction projects benefiting the community.</p><p></p><p>Jerry took up horseback riding later in life. He and Sandie found great pleasure and established lifelong friendships when they joined the Yadkin Valley Hounds. Foxhunting was an activity he loved for both the thrill of the chase as well as the camaraderie of his fellow riders.</p><p><br></p><p>He is survived by his wife, Sandie McKenzie, their daughter, Lisa McKenzie Millican (John), and three grandchildren, McKenzie Jane Millican, Evan Taylor Millican, and Reagan McCreary Millican. He had an immense love for antiques, a good bargain, working with his hands, all animals, and most importantly, his family.</p><p><br></p><p>A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 25 at 11:00 at the Saal in the Community Center at Salemtowne in Winston-Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation (AARF) of Winston-Salem at 302 Thurston St, Winston-Salem NC 27103, or the Horse Education and Rescue Organization (H.E.R.O.) at PO Box 11045, Winston-Salem, NC 27116.</p>Obituary
Jerry McKenzie was born on July 24th,1935 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the late William Yancey McKenzie and Minnie Bailey McKenzie. He graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga, then attended McCallie School in advance of studying engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He participated in ROTC through high school and college and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at Georgia Tech. Upon graduation, he was stationed in Aberdeen, Maryland, fulfilling 6 months of active duty in the Army. Here he met and then married his wife of 63 years, Gertrude (Sandie) Oliver. His career in industrial engineering led to plant management roles in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and ultimately Lexington, North Carolina. Here Jerry embarked on his most ambitious engineering project yet: constructing a farmhouse and two barns that he and Sandie would occupy for almost 45 years. Jerry had an immense love for all creatures great and small – their home and barns were always filled with cats, horses, and (briefly) cows.
Jerry participated in his community around him. He was a member of the Rotary Club for almost 50 years, was on the Board of the Lexington YMCA, and served a term as president of both organizations. He also was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, NC as well as the local Chamber of Commerce. He continued volunteering his time when he retired to Salemtown by serving on various committees and helping with small construction projects benefiting the community.
Jerry took up horseback riding later in life. He and Sandie found great pleasure and established lifelong friendships when they joined the Yadkin Valley Hounds. Foxhunting was an activity he loved for both the thrill of the chase as well as the camaraderie of his fellow riders.
He is survived by his wife, Sandie McKenzie, their daughter, Lisa McKenzie Millican (John), and three grandchildren, McKenzie Jane Millican, Evan Taylor Millican, and Reagan McCreary Millican. He had an immense love for antiques, a good bargain, working with his hands, all animals, and most importantly, his family.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 25 at 11:00 at the Saal in the Community Center at Salemtowne in Winston-Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation (AARF) of Winston-Salem at 302 Thurston St, Winston-Salem NC 27103, or the Horse Education and Rescue Organization (H.E.R.O.) at PO Box 11045, Winston-Salem, NC 27116.
Events
11:00 AM
Winston-Salem, NC 27106