Winston Arlen McKenzie Sr.

Winston Arlen McKenzie, Sr. died peacefully on Thursday, the 17th of May 2012. He was born in Hempstead, Texas on the 12th of October 1929, the son of Emily Harris Rogers and Carl Jackson McKenzie. He was a direct descendant of David Harris who came with the Original Three Hundred to Texas with Stephen F. Austin in 1823.

Winston attended Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, and Texas A&M University on a swimming scholarship, and graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry in 1951. He fought in Korea as a 1st Lieutenant Navigator, Bombardier and Radar Operator in the U.S. Air Force. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with Three Oak-leaf Clusters. The Republic of Korea presented him with their medal for meritorious service.

Upon returning to Houston after his military service, Winston established McKenzie Galleries' Wholesale Showroom in 1955. He was president of the International Wholesale Furniture Association, and was named "Man of the Year." His showroom was chosen one of the ten finest in the U.S. by Interior Design Magazine. He was a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and the Texas Association for Interior Design. More recently, he formed McKenzie Appraisal Service, a personal property appraisal firm. He served as president of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the International Society of Appraisers. As chairman of the Kiwanis Club Freedom Train visit to Houston, Winston was responsible for all arrangements for the Bi-Centennial train's successful stay in Houston. He was president of the Kiwanis Club of Houston, and lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis International Texas-Oklahoma District. As president of the Navy League he hosted the banquet for Admiral Elmo Zumwalt in Houston for the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Navy. He was an Anchor Man of the Houston Delta Gamma Fraternity. A long-time member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Winston served on the Administrative Board. He was a member of the Arabia Temple Shrine and Royal Order of the Jesters, Court 136, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Sons of the Confederacy. He was a 50-year member of the Petroleum Club of Houston. A natural athlete, Winston participated in many sports and enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing. In 2011, just prior to his 82nd birthday, his golf team won first place in the Strake Jesuit Golf Tournament and second place in the Petroleum Club Golf Tournament. Winston was devoted to his family and loved being with them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother, Gilbert C. McKenzie. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sidney Taylor McKenzie, and his children, Winston A. McKenzie, Jr. and Elisabeth Tanner McKenzie; Maxfield Taylor McKenzie and Connie Howell McKenzie; grandchildren, Victoria Frances McKenzie, Alexander Harris McKenzie and Maxfield Hunter McKenzie; brother and sister, Col. Wallace Jackson McKenzie and Odean Spears McKenzie; godsons, Dr. David Arlen Laurentz, David Nelson Fisher and Robert Ashton Hill, and their families; nieces, nephews and many treasured friends.

The graveside service is to be conducted at half-past three o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 21st of May, at Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Ave. in Houston, where the Rev. Christopher Bowhay, Rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, is to officiate.

The memorial service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 22nd of May, in the Sanctuary of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Tom Pace, senior pastor, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.

Honored to serve as casket bearers during Monday’s service are, Dr. David A. Laurentz, Kevin McKenzie, Ken McKenzie, William Cyrus, David Falloure, Guy Sullaway, David N. Fisher, R. Harris Howell, Gordon T. Arnold, Robert Cochran and Jack Schubert.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Ray D. Laurentz, Dr. William C. Sutton, Col. Raymond H. Falke, Dr. Jeffrey D. Lanier, Richard H. Howell, Larry Knippa, Gregory Fourticq, Herbert L. Gibbs, Jr., Fred Schubert, Robert Giles, Robert Frank, Taylor Steves, Nelson Fisher, Tom Masterson, Richard Moehring and Dr. Edwin W. Roberts.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Houston Foundation, 10600 NW Freeway, Suite 200, Houston, TX, 77092; St. Luke’s Methodist Church Foundation, P.O. Box 22013, Houston, TX, 77227-2013; or the charity of one’s choice.