Scott W. McKenzie

Scott W. McKenzie, age 76, of Henderson, Nevada passed away peacefully at his home, on Thursday, January 9, 2025 surrounded by his family. Born on September 7, 1948, in Bell, California; Scott McKenzie grew up in Downey, California, where his childhood was enriched by fond memories of fishing trips with his father, Jack McKenzie. A naturally curious and thoughtful young man, he balanced his academic pursuits with hobbies that reflected his diverse interests and zest for life. After graduation from High School, Scott attended the University of South Carolina for one year where he participated in the ROTC program. His unwavering dedication to service and learning led him to transfer to the United States Naval Academy in 1968; marking the beginning of a remarkable journey defined by commitment, resilience, and a deep love for his country.

Upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy, Scott began his career in the United States Marine Corps on June 9, 1971. In 1972, Scott commanded a weapons platoon with BLT 1/4 during the Easter Offensive of 1972 off the coast of Vietnam. Extending his tour, he returned to the South China Sea as the 81mm mortar platoon commander for 1/4 and participated in contingency operations off the coast of Cambodia. As a ceremonial platoon commander at Marine Barracks 8th and "I'”, he led his unit in scores of parades, Arlington burials, and special ceremonies while also serving as a social aide to President Ford. Scott completed two Mediterranean floats as a rifle company commander in 1978 and Assistant Operations Officer in 1979 where, upon his return, he was selected to serve as the USMC liaison officer to the Royal Marine Commandos. After completing the Commando Course in Lympstone, England, he served as the CO of "Yankee" Company, 45 (pronounced four-five) Commando in Scotland and completed various deployments to Norway and the Mediterranean. As the Commando Ops Officer, he supervised the training and preparation of the unit for peace keeping duties. Denied permission by the US Embassy to serve with 45 Cdo during their deployment to Northern Ireland, he completed his tour by attending military ski instructor training in Rjukan, Norway, and the mountain and ice climbing course in the Italian Alps. Returning to the US in 1981, he served as the Director of the DI School at Parris Island for two years before attending the US Defense Language Institute to learn Norwegian.

From 1985 to 1986, Scott attended Norwegian Command and Staff College in Oslo, and subsequently served on the staff of the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade planning and overseeing the Brigade's deployment to Norway during the waning days of the Cold War. In addition, he was the chief planner for pre-positioning $250M of warfighting equipment in Norwegian caves. Posted to the 2d Marine Division in 1989, he served first as the Ops Officer for the 2d Marines, and then assumed command of the Second Reconnaissance Battalion in June, 1990. In December, the Battalion deployed to Al-Jubayl, Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In early February, 2nd Recon was the first unit to send patrols into Kuwait a week prior to the commencement of ground operations to determine gaps in the Iraqi minefield. The findings of these patrols allowed the 2d Marine Division to breach the minefields by noon of G-Day, several days in advance of expectations. Upon return to Camp Lejeune, Lt. Col. McKenzie was posted to the Command and Staff College at Quantico as the leadership instructor. In 1993, Scott W. McKenzie retired after 22 years of service as Lieutenant Colonel of Marines who served in three conflicts as an infantry officer commanding every unit from platoon to battalion. Lt.Col. McKenzie was awarded the Bronze Star with combat "V", the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Royal Marines' Commando Medal.

Following his military service, Scott entered into business as a supply chain professional and subsequently directed distribution centers for United Stationers, Office Depot, and Office Max in Georgia, Tennessee, California, and Nevada before retiring in 2014.

During a naval deployment in Cannes, France, destiny brought him together with the love of his life, Marie-Therese Bernard. The two were married in Nice, France, on May 5, 1979, embarking on a lifelong adventure filled with love, laughter, and family. The couple were blessed with three daughters, and as their families grew; they were blessed with two grandsons.

Although his military commitments were demanding and tedious, Scott always found a balance between his career and his family life. In his early years, Scott enjoyed playing rugby in France and at Parris Island, South Carolina. Scott channeled his passion for camaraderie, teamwork and joy seamlessly into his family life, where he created countless cherished memories with his wife and three daughters. Weekend mornings often began with Reveille or the Marine Corps Hymn, as he infused humor and discipline into the fabric of his household.

A loving husband and a devoted and playful father, Scott spent endless hours delighting his daughters by conquering Mario Bros. and Zelda on Nintendo, always with an eager audience cheering him on. As a grandfather, Scott embraced his role with an open heart, teaching his two grandsons, Wyatt and Miles, the fine art of Wet Willies, perfecting cannonballs in the pool, and spinning whimsical tales of "Old Diablo," a bull they rode on his knees. His sharp intellect amazed all who knew him, as he seemed to have the answer to nearly every Jeopardy question. His meticulous nature was evident in his hobbies, from collecting stamps and coins to his admiration for classic cars, especially Corvettes and Aston Martins. Family movie nights became a treasured tradition, often featuring John Wayne and epic war films that reflected his love for history. This passion for the past extended far beyond the screen; he immersed himself in history by visiting castles in France and Scotland, exploring Normandy, Civil War battlefields, and numerous history museums, creating vivid memories with his family. In his early years, Scott purchased the “Burnside”; a beach house on Emerald Isle, North Carolina, transforming it into a sanctuary for family and friends vacations filled with laughter and togetherness.

Retirement allowed Scott to pursue his other heartfelt passion; carrying on his love for Marine Corps tradition. Scott was active in the Marine Corps League Detachment 495 in Henderson; where he led as Commandant for many years. He remained committed to lead by example, pass on knowledge anywhere he could and remained active in his community. Scott was instrumental in documenting veterans' biographies at Boulder Cemetery, a testament to his reverence for those who served. In his quiet time, Scott also found joy in simple pleasures, such as watering plants, tending the garden, and sharing walks and games of fetch with his beloved dogs. Scott McKenzie dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his family throughout his life, filling their lives with love, laughter, and unsolicited dad jokes.

Scott was preceded in death by his father, Jack Averill McKenzie; his mother, Fleda Ernestine Stallings; and his sister, Layne Lenhart (Dan). He is survived by his wife, Marie-Therese McKenzie; his daughters: Anne V. Eaton (Jeffrey Jr.), Kathleen M. McKenzie, and Valerie F. McKenzie; his grandsons: Wyatt S. Eaton and Miles A. Eaton; his uncle, William Walters, his aunt, Patricia Walters; and his niece, Kelly Ryan (TR).

A visitation for Scott will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Palm Henderson Mortuary, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 2300 Sunridge Heights Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89052. A military honors service and committal will occur Tuesday, January 28, 2025 beginning at 12:40 PM, where Scott will be laid to rest at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Mem, Boulder City, NV 89005.