Bossier City, La.- Memorial Services for Randall Lawrence McKenzie Jr. will be held Wednesday March 30, 2011, 2:00 at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Bossier City. Randy was born in Shreveport, La. On July 1, 1962 and he went back Home with God on March 27, 2011 after a short illness.
He was a graduate of Benton High School, class of ’80, but attended Bossier High School, Kerr Elementary and Rusheon Jr High and played football 12 years.
Randy leaves behind his Special wife, Vickie or “Rooskie” as they called each other, their marriage was special since Randy waited till he was 44 years old before he married, someone ask why, he just replied it was the first time I ever fell in Love.
Randy is survived by his mother and dad, Judy and Bud McKenzie, father-in-law Dub Watley, and numerous special friends and family.
Randy’s lifetime friends were Roger Strength and his wife Sandy, Dennis Norris and wife Terri, his special cousin and best pal was George Alvin Brice, his special cousin Brenda Brice was like a sister to him. Randy’s cousin Carl Wayne Richard lived next door when they were growing up and shared many special times.
He grew up with two special aunts, Jeannie Richard and Marilyn Brice Rech, his special uncle Johnny was also his eating buddy and they shared a lot of fun-filled times together. His special uncle Richey Jackson taught him and his cousin George Alvin to drive, swim and be tough as well as respect and honor, his very special “like a sister” Ginger Miller is a now a Doctor. Also, Aunt Jackie, married to Jonnny — they had fun times together.
Also surviving are his very special cousins, Sissy Livingston and Monk Anderson, who enjoyed Randy’s vast knowledge of everything that being discussed on any level, his very special cousins Kim McGregor and Jeanyne Dominick, who shared his journey through life and shared his journey back home with loving compassion.
Randy’s love for his two uncles Ben and Dan McKenzie was filled with precious special memories, Randy’s Precious Aunts Jerry Ann Bruce and Aunt Emma Lou were his Pa’s sisters and they really make the Arnolds proud with their unselfish outreach to help and be with the family always. Randy’s Aunt Barbara McKenzie is always sweet and always cares along with Uncle Jr., her husband that takes time to care for others, and let’s not forget his precious cousin June Swiatowicz who always watched over him. Randy dearly Loved each and every one each special in their own way.
Lifetime friends and family include so many precious and special people that have touched our lives and we theirs, and Randy took time to know them each and every one, he could tell you a special story of the connection and what made them special.
Randy’s grandmother McKezie gave him the nick name Amos.
Randy told the story Pa Arnold had told him and George Alvin on a daily basis — that one word could carry you through Life and using it and it’s real meaning would prove to be a successful tool in any undertaking of any kind and this special word was, “Respect.” Randy saw only the good in anyone using another of Paw’s teachings that is; everyone is not dealt the same cards and if you are fortunate enough to get a good hand use it wisely and with compassion for those that did not.
Randy had deep-seeded values and respect that just came naturally, adding his Special gift of humor and personality to just make it more interesting while presenting a message and keeping one’s attention. Anyone that knew Randy was just amazed at how he could take a mere statement someone had made and turn it into a full blown subject lasting hours, but with the excited enthusiasm he used in telling his story, keeping his audience spellbound.
Randy, like most of the Arnold Guys, loved to cook, and of course he had his specialties and they always contained a special secret that gave new meaning to “this is Hot but Oh it is so Good!”
He was really too small to have remembered Grandmother Jackson, but he remembered everything about her and could describe everything about her tiny little house and the smell of her tea cakes she made special for him and George Alvin, he mastered her hot water cornbread and was quick to tell everyone that it is not as easy as it looks — like life it takes determination to master the skill and get it right, he said.
It isn’t just pouring hot water over the cornmeal and stirring, if the combination is off in any way, you just as well through that batch out and start all over, just like life. He was quite a Philosopher and could actually make a pencil interesting with his humorous stories of how it really came about, made you look at the pencil differently next time you picked it up.
Randy was probably the most proud that he was blessed with Family, he used to say; you know we are known or judged by our character that defines who we are and what we do and you can’t just go out and buy or borrow it, everyone is born with it, but if you are not guided by your family and their special values through life then all the money in the world is just an asset with no direction.
Randy said, “Family is silent at times, but even with the light off you know they are there, just turn on the light when you need them.”
Randy told the Doctors that when he was better and released from the hospital that he and his wife were going to his Mom and Dad’s house on the Bayou, the doctor said really, do you think that would be best, Randy just laughed and, “Yes sir. Besides being blessed with the best Parents in the world- They are so much fun since I quit drinking.”
Randy remarked about the time he wasted especially since he just loved doing everything, fishing and enjoying life period was what Randy was all about and laughed saying, I had almost forgot how beautiful everything was, and how great it felt to feel great in the mornings, I almost changed from Community thinking they had changed the blend, no I had changed my Blend , taste mighty good nowadays. Randy’s Uncle Richey said if God didn’t need him for something special that Randy would be the greatest spokesman God could ever have, he had a way of not preaching but just simply telling his story and, his gift to add a touch of humor everyone would listen.
Randy’s was a career car Salesman, Finance Manager and Insurance salesman with Arnold Ins. Agency. Randy’s family extends deep into the Bossier and Shreveport area and it has been said that you are either related or best friends or related because they are such good friends.
Randy had a rare Gift and never met a stranger; he had his Grandpa Arnold’s wonderful sense of humor that he shared with everyone he met. If you ever met Randy you would not forget him, he was an avid reader and philosopher and knew a little bit about everything and made it entertaining with his stories.
The Memorial Service for Randy McKenzie, age 48 will be held at 5:00 pm, Wednesday, March 30, at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80. Officiating will be Brother Donnie Mack Jr. (Randy’s cousin), Special eulogy by Richey Jackson, (Randy’s cousin), music by James Livingston (Randy’s cousin) and Ryan Dean.
The family gathering after the services will be hosted by Cousin Jeanyne & Kyle Dominick at their Home at 421 Audubon after the Memorial services on Wednesday.
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