Joseph Allan McKenzie

McKENZIE, Joseph Allan, age 26, passed from this life to the next, five days after sustaining fatal injuries falling from a moving vehicle. Joseph was born May 12th 1986 in Nashville, Tennessee to Kim M. Cassista and Clayton A. McKenzie. Joseph is survived by both his parents, older brother Noah McKenzie of Nashville, TN and sister Theresa McKenzie of Asheville NC, Grandfather Floyd Cassista Sr. and his wife Anne, Grandmother Naomi Long, god-parents Polly Boner McKenzie and Charles Steven McKenzie of Nashville, TN along with many loving Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends from many walks of life. Joseph was a creative, insightful, loving, tolerant and kind man who was devoted to his family and friends. Joseph served in the 1129th Finance Detachment of The National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan for "Operation Enduring Freedom". He received the Army Commendation and Good Conduct medals, National Defense and Global War on Terrorism Service medals and the Overseas Service Ribbon. Since his honorable discharge 4+ years ago Joseph suffered a severe debilitating condition, related to his service in a Designated Imminent Danger Area inside Afghanistan, until his death Thursday, July 19th at approximately 10:00 pm. Despite the many challenges facing Joseph in the past four years Joseph remained a generous, sweet, kind and loving soul, always giving away anything he had to help others while he had very little for himself; up to and including offering himself as an organ donor to save and improve the lives of others. Visitation will begin at 4:00pm, Monday, July 23rd, including a vigil service celebrating Joseph's life at 7:00pm, in the Fleming Center at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 2015 West End Avenue. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral church on the following day, Tuesday, July 24th, at 2:00 pm. Rev. William McKenzie of Alcoa, TN presiding, assisted by Rev. Mr. Andrew McKenzie and Rev. Mr. James McKenzie. There will be a celebratory reception to follow at a location TBD. The family is especially grateful to the staff of the Vanderbilt Medical Center Emergency Services department, the department of Neurological-surgery, and all the doctors, nurses, technicians and staff of the trauma unit. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family request donations to National Association of the Mentally Ill.