Alfred Lawrence McKenzie

Alfred Lawrence McKenzie, 89, died Dec. 1, 2012 at Baptist Medical Center in Stuttgart. Born Oct. 14, 1923 in Clarendon, he was the firstborn son of Sheriff Kinch McKenzie and wife, Volney. He was a 1941 graduate of Clarendon High School and attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway. In 1942, during WWII, he left college and volunteered to serve in the Army Air Corp, where he fulfilled a four year tour of duty. Returning to civilian life, he attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. and University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, receiving a Ph.D. He taught history, math, and served as athletic coach in both Clarendon and Brinkley schools. He assisted four Arkansas school districts in developing the Jenkins Center in Pine Bluff, a clinic for children with delayed development abilities. From 1970-1976 he assisted the Pulaski County school district in the development and expansion of their exceptional student program. In 1976, he and Charlene Grady were married and lived in Little Rock, where he attended St. James Methodist Church, serving as men's class teacher. They owned and operated businesses that included a charter fishing boat, duck hunting and farming. Upon full retirement they returned to the Clarendon community, where in prior years he was a member of the Clarendon First Baptist Church, VFW and Lions Club. Preceding him in death were parents, Kinch and Volney (Hutchinson) McKenzie. Immediate family that remain includes wife, Charlene Grady McKenzie of Clarendon; children and spouses, Michael McKenzie of Clarendon, Mark McKenzie of Maumelle, Charles Worden of Fayetteville, Grady and Johanna Worden of Little Rock, Cindy and Sam Lowrey of Little Italy; four grandchildren, Erin O'Rourke Joslin, Nicholas Grady Worden, Ashley Worden, Rachel McKenzie Worden; two great-grandchildren, Alivia Young, Tiffany Young; and brother, John McKenzie of Albuquerque, N.M. Private family burial, memorials may be given to the Clarendon Public Library, 270 Madison St., Clarendon, Ark. 72029.