Allen M. “Mack” McKenzie III, 74, De Soto
Allen M. “Mack” McKenzie III, 74, of De Soto died Feb. 13, 2022, in Festus. Mr. McKenzie was a law enforcement officer with the Crystal City Police Department for eight years, and while working there, earned a Medal of Valor for rescuing an 8-year-old boy from a cave. Then he worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department (now called the Sheriff’s Office), supervising the K-9 unit, and he won another Medal of Valor. He was a member of the Life Christian Church in De Soto. He also served with distinction in the U.S. Air Force for more than 21 years, serving in the 27th and 60th security force squadrons and the tactical air command. He served three tours in Vietnam and earned several medals, including Purple Hearts, a Meritorious Service Award and a Bronze Star, as well as certificates and other decorations. He ended his military career in Florida as an Air Command Defender instructor. Mr. McKenzie loved spending time with his family and his pets. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, traveling, reading novels and watching the Discovery Channel. Born Jan. 11, 1948, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Mary Jane (Avery) and Allen M. McKenzie Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years: Margaret McKenzie of De Soto; four children: Billie (Tony) Arens of Eagle River, Alaska, Trena (Don) Cook of Trinity, Fla., Michelle (Andrew) Gausch of Maplewood and Todd Boyer of St. Louis; one sibling: Madeline (Michael) McKenzie; five grandchildren: Steffen Gausch of Maplewood, Bryce and Skyler Arens, both of Eagle River, Alaska, and Britney and Michael Boyer, both of O’Fallon; and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Michael McKenzie.
Visitation will be from 3-9 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 20) at Kutis Funeral South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, in St. Louis County. Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Monday (Feb. 21) at the funeral home. Burial will be in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to BackStoppers. Arrangements are under the direction of Kutis Funeral Homes.