Charles R. McKenzie

Charles R. “Charlie” McKenzie of Wasilla, 72, passed away Nov. 18 in Palmer from complications due to pneumonia. He was surrounded by his family. Charlie was born on June 30 1937 at Clayton, Okla., to Essie and Rufus McKenzie. He was raised in Clayton and Calera, Okla., by Sam and Essie Ralston.

Charlie joined the Army as teenager and was a paratrooper who fought in the Korean War. Charlie was especially proud of his military service.

Charlie received a masters degree in mechanical engineering from Rice University after his military service. He worked for an engineering firm that helped design parts for the early manned space orbiter missions conducted by NASA.

Charlie and his wife Betty were married after a long courtship. He brought her and five step-children to Alaska in 1972. Later he worked for RCA/Alascom building satellite/microwave communication stations in remote Alaska connecting the vast Alaska wilderness with the rest of the world. Charlie was a hard core Alaskan enjoying all of the activities the Alaska wilderness could provide. Always up for a challenge, Charlie built a home in Peters Creek and enjoyed the experience so much he became a full-time home builder and spent the rest of his life building homes in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

He is survived by his wife Betty McKenzie, mother Essie Ralston, brother Sam, step-sons Jerry Cogdill, Gary Cogdill and wife Fran, Larry Cogdill and Ursula Hanna, Terry Cogdill and step-daughter Peggy Barber, grandchildren Serra Cogdill, Chelsea Cogdill, Lalaneya Wilkes, J.R. Cogdill, Elizabeth Cogdill, Shalayna Barber, great-grandchildren Taylor Cork, Sydney Tyler, Dylan Cogdill, Payton Cork, Gracie Cogdill, Ryan Cogdill and Kaylee Wilkes and many friends all over Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, California and Texas.

The family would like to say, “Charlie was a great husband, father and son and will be missed by all of the people whose lives he touched, may he rest in peace.”

He was preceded in death by his father, Rufus McKenzie, step-father Sam Ralston and son Lathe McKenzie.

A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Calera, Okla., cemetery. It will be followed immediately by a food and fellowship get-together at the Calera Nutrition Center.

Charlie asked that in lieu of flowers, please give to your local charity to help others in need.