Johnnie Eugene McKenzie, age 81 of Maryville went to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at Parkwest Hospital in Knoxville after a long and determined battle with heart disease. After graduating Everett High School in 1957, he volunteered and proudly served in the US Air Force as a jet engine mechanic. He retired from ALCOA Aluminum Company after 34 years of service. He was a gifted artist, mechanic, and handyman who often found himself voluntarily repairing bicycles for neighborhood children and helping neighbors with household and car repairs as well as various other projects. In his retirement years, he loved to travel the backroads of America, enjoying God’s creation with his travel partners: wife Linda, sister “Sis”, and his late Aunt Clara Rathbone. He was preceded in death by: parents, Joe Lee & Ila Ruth Endsley McKenzie; brother, Robert McKenzie, and his faithful 4-legged friend, Mayford. Survivors include: wife of 53 years, Linda (Young) McKenzie; sons & daughters-in-law, Kevin & Bridget McKenzie, Steve & Faye McKenzie; grandchildren (and the lights of his life) Cale and Ashley Cunningham McKenzie, Jonathan McKenzie, and Andrew McKenzie; sister, Doris Johnson; special niece, Kim Hurtt & husband Mike; special great-niece and nephew, Kaylee Paige & Cole Pierce; special friends and neighbors, Allen & Linda Heaton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Johnnie McKenzie to the Everett Hills Baptist Church Building Fund, 401 S Everett High Rd, Maryville, TN 37804. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Friday, May 24, 2019 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM with Rev. Doug Haynes and Rev. Bob Nuchols officiating. Family and friends will assemble for interment at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Magnolia Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.
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