James R. Mckenzie

James R. “Rick” McKenzie, 56, Ottawa, Kansas, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. He was born Tuesday, Sept. 16, 1952, on the U.S. Air Force Base at Burtonwood Lancashire, England, to John Elbert and Donna Belle (Dilts) McKenzie. He moved to Ottawa in 1983 from Pomona. He graduated from Pomona High School in 1970. He worked for the Lawrence Paper Company for 34 years, retiring in June 2007. He married Joyce Proctor July 15, 1978, at Paola. She survives. Survivors also include his father, John Elbert McKenzie, Aloha, Ore.; a son, Patrick Proctor, and his wife, Margaret, Ft. Myers, Fla.; a daughter, Christine Proctor, Ottawa; a twin brother, John McKenzie, and his wife, Pat, Overbrook; brothers, Terry McKenzie, and his wife, Janice, Eudora, and Christopher McKenzie, and his wife, Dina, Lafayette, Tenn.; a sister, Marsha Vedder, Inman; grandchildren, Brandon Proctor, Blake Proctor, Tyler Proctor, Jaqob Proctor, Sloan Proctor and Shynalle Proctor; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Donna Belle (Dilts) McKenzie. Cremation is planned. A celebration of his life for family and friends will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the home of John McKenzie, 407 Market St., Overbrook. Memorial contributions may be sent to Midland Hospice or Franklin County Cancer Foundation in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa KS 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.