Delbert E. "Mack" Mckenzie

Delbert E. “Mack” McKenzie, age 72, of Brookings, died Friday, June 25, 2010 at his home.

At his request, a celebration of life will be held on October 30, 2010. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Curry County Hospice, PO Box 6042, Brookings, Oregon 97415.

Mack was born October 30, 1937 in Eugene, Oregon to Harold & Jackie McKenzie. He moved with his family to Rogue River, graduated from Rogue River High School, and later attended Willamette University. From 1958 to 1961 he served in the United States Army and was in the 101st Airborne. He was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Korea and received a Parachute Badge and Good Conduct Medal. He returned to the Rogue Valley and worked as a river guide on the Rogue, Klamath, and Snake Rivers and as a cement finisher working on Lost Creek, Applegate, and Galesville dams. He also worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska. He lived in Brookings for the past 26 years. On December 18, 1987 in Rogue River he married his wife, Linda.

Mack was a member of the Laborers Union Local #1400 of Medford.

Mack loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. He was a master gardener, gold miner, and forester. He enjoyed hunting mushrooms for commercial use and gathering brush for local floral use.

Survivors include his wife, Linda McKenzie of Brookings; eight children, Rene’ McKenzie of Grants Pass, Mary Olson of Grants Pass, Susan Turrell of Bend, Robin O’Kelly of Marcola, Cindy Williams of Eugene, JR Williams of Portland, Mary Thomas of Portland, and Beth Wilson of South Korea; a sister, Mary “Jo” Johnson; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.