Ralph W. MacKenzie was born March 22, 1946 to Robert and Norabelle (Flannery) MacKenzie, in Detroit, Michigan. He spent many years attending school in Nashville, Michigan, which he considered his hometown and where he maintained several close friendships. He graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1964.
In 1968 he joined the Army and served his country in Vietnam. He earned the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Finance Corp. After completing his service he attended Lansing Community College, majoring in Mathematics, before completing his B.S.E.E degree at Michigan State University. The Monday after his graduation he began work at Dart Container in Mason, Michigan, the start of a 44-year career. He loved the company, the challenging work, and his many friends and colleagues. He was intelligent, witty, and always loved a challenge. He was perpetually upbeat, optimistic in nature, and had a ready smile.
His interests and hobbies were many, including all things fishing, being a loyal Spartan, playing 3-cushion billiards, building bamboo fly rods, and making wooden pens and cuesticks. He refinished an antique billiards table and loved playing on it. He also participated in several billiards tournaments.
His family was the most important part of his life, and he cherished the precious memories of celebrating accomplishments, birthdays, and trips to the family cottage at Bear Lake.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 40 years, Judy, and three children Kaitlin (James Martin), James (Jessica Bock), and Matthew. Also surviving are two brothers, Scott and Syd, half-sister Barbara Sleeth, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers James and John.
Visitation will be held from Tuesday, August 24th, from 10:30AM to 1:00PM at Gorsline Runciman, East Lansing, with funeral services following. Memorials can be made to the Capital Area Humane Society.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the MacKenzie family.
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