Extracted from The Herald Banner (Greenville, TX)
Dr. Joe McKenzie
COMMERCE -- Dr. Joe Mark McKenzie, born Nov. 26, 1927, to Joseph O. and Jessie Sewell Hawthorne McKenzie, passed quietly into his eternal rest on Oct. 1, 2010, in Fresno, Texas.
Dr. McKenzie was a longtime resident of Commerce and attended East Texas State Teachers College where he was a member of the Artema Social Fraternity. He completed his undergraduate degree, his master's degree and his doctoral program at ETSU.
Dr. McKenzie served as director of alumni at ETSU and initiated, formed and supported the Golden Coats award for outstanding alumni. He also compiled the alumni directory which is still used by many former students.
Dr. McKenzie served in the United States Air Force, was a member of the Shrine, taught at both the high school level and at the university level and had a lifelong love for literature, history and music.
He enjoyed golf, fishing and hunting with family members; and he especially looked forward to the dove hunt in September which became a much anticipated family event.
Joe Mark loved his friends and his family, and he was incredibly proud of the accomplishments of his only son, John Mark. He was especially touched when John Mark completed his law school requirements at Old Miss and entered into joint professions of the law and banking.
Unfortunately, Joe's failing health deterred his desire to spend quality time with his son, his daughter-in-law and his three grandsons.
He is also survived by his brother, Bob McKenzie of Fort Worth, and his sister, Joan Hawthorne McKenzie of Longview.
Services are pending with Commerce Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Commerce.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a favorite charity or to the First Methodist Church in Commerce.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010