Madisonville Messenger, KY Oct 13, 2009
Gordon K. "Mac" MacKenzie Jr., 85, passed away on Monday, Sept. 28,
2009, at the Regional Medical Center in Madisonville. He was born May
16, 1924, in Salinas, Calif., to Gordon K. MacKenzie and Thelma Brant
MacKenzie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife,
Elizabeth Koenig MacKenzie, and his daughter, Betsy MacKenzie. He
graduated from Pacific Grove High School in 1942. A World War II Navy
veteran, he served in special operations following the war. An avid
sportsman, he loved hunting, fishing and skeet shooting (NSSA National
Champion, Class AA). He was a lifetime member of the National Muzzle
Loading Rifle Association and was the oldest living High Chief of the
Shoshone Indians Shooting Association. He was a Kentucky Colonel and a
Kentucky River Admiral. His ashes will join those of his wife and
daughter in the Ohio River near Cincinnati at a private family
gathering. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Western
Kentucky Veterans Center, Trover Health Systems and Dr. Anna D'Amico
for the care and compassion he received during his stay in Hopkins
County. Memorial contributions may be made to Pennyrile Allied
Community Services Inc. (821-3232) for the outstanding service they
provide to otherwise homebound citizens.

Family obit 2
Gordon K. ‘Mac’ MacKenzie Jr., 85, passed away on Monday, September
28, 2009 at the Regional Medical Center in Madisonville, Kentucky.  He
was born May 16, 1924 in Salinas, California to Gordon K. MacKenzie
and Thelma MacKenzie nee Brant.  He was preceded in death by his
parents, his wife Elizabeth ‘EEK’ MacKenzie nee Koenig and his
daughter Betsy ‘BUK’ MacKenzie. He graduated from Pacific Grove High
School in 1942 where he played varsity football and was known as
“Moe” (“Break his arm, Moe!”).  A WWII Navy Veteran, he served several
years in Special Operations following the war.  During his military
career, and later in life, he would occasionally revert to his alter-
ego “Black Duger Dawson, Beast of the Yukon”, especially at times when
the ship was under attack or if there was a game of “Tonk” to be
played.  He was an outstanding card player, but there is no record of
him ever winning “The Belt” in any major tournament. At “500”, he saw
it his duty to hold all the bad cards thus helping others have
something to bid on.  An avid sportsman, he loved hunting, fishing and
skeet shooting (NSSA National Champion, Class AA).  He was a lifetime
member of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (“Keep your
powder dry.”). Also known as “Rattlesnake” among the Shoshone Indians
Shooting Association, he was the oldest living High Chief at the time
he left for the Happy Hunting Ground.  Highly regarded in central
Kentucky and all along the Kentucky River, he received honors as a
Kentucky Colonel and a Kentucky River Admiral.  He taught three
(technically two) generations of Koenig’s to fish, which is surprising
when you consider the number of fish that were actually caught.
(Note: It is well documented that any young Koenig prone to throw
rocks into the river when Mac was fishing, was given a pole and taught
to fish.)  Whenever asked the age old question “How’s the fishing?” he
would characteristically respond, “The fishing is marvelous! The
catching leaves a bit to be desired.” He taught most of us how to tie
a “Bowline” and a “Bucket Knot”, taking pride in knowing that the
handiwork of a mud-covered 9-year-old-nephew-or-niece would hold the
ship secure for the night. He coined many legendary expressions,
including; “The imps are under the breedo!”, “Bid high, or sleep in
the gutter!”, “I’d do it.” (after peeking at the cards of a hesitant
bidder), and “Yes, Honeybun.” He fell in love with EEK from the moment
he met her, and gladly submitted to being “civilized” by his “bride”.
He truly loved the life they had together.  A devoted father, he
became the “Dickeybird” to a little-bitty princess with braids nearly
as long as she was.  He explained to his nephews that she was born
into a high position on “The Hill” and that the sooner we could come
to grips with our lot as “Bottom Dwellers”, the happier we all would
be.  Years ago there was a newspaper article about H. F. Koenig, Jr.
receiving Kentucky Colonel and Kentucky River Admiral awards at Lock
#4.  All family members were listed stating our relationship, but
Mac’s name was misspelled and he just seemed to be along for the
ride.  Uncle Mac was many things to us, but little did we then
understand how truly prophetic the article was when he was listed as
“Golden MacKenzie, friend of the family”.