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Alfred Wayne McKenzie
PARMA, Mo. — Alfred Wayne McKenzie was born Feb. 13, 1926, at the Village of Hondon, Catron, Missouri, to George Edward and Charlotta “Lottie” Mae McKenzie and died on Sept. 18, 2023, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. His father and mother moved to Catron in 1918. They were pioneers in the development of S.E. Missouri as lumber manufacturers in clearing the land and shipping lumber by train throughout Missouri.
Wayne, a 66-year member of the United Methodist Church in Parma, and a 66-year, 32nd degree Life Member of the A&A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, U.S.A. Wayne was a highly respected and beloved resident of Parma for 82 years. He was a friend to many not only at Parma but throughout S.E. Missouri. Remarkably, he lived alone at his home until his time of death with the assistance of a niece via the phone long distance and very special care givers, dear friends, who truly were God sent.
Wayne was a graduate of Parma High School in 1944. After graduation, he farmed for several years. From 1951 to 1953, Wayne honorably served on active duty in the United States Army during the Korean War. While in the army, he was a master mechanic.
From 1953 to 1955, he was employed by Ramsey Equipment, Parma as a mechanic where he completely rebuilt many Farmall H&M Tractors. During the mid-1950s, Wayne was employed as a mechanic by the Parma School. His skills as a mechanic were recognized throughout his life as he continued to rebuild Farmall M Tractors, and he restored classic cars as a hobby. At an advanced age, Wayne continued to repair mechanical equipment for those who sought his perfection in mechanical repairs and vast knowledge in this field.
In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Wayne U.S. Postmaster at Parma. He served in that position until his retirement in 1985.
Wayne was also an inventor throughout his life, a poet, a certified locksmith, and repaired refrigerant equipment. In 2009, Farm Show Magazine featured Wayne’s Heavy-Duty, 3-Point Hitch for his prized Farmall M Tractor of which every component of it was designed and fabricated by Wayne except the lift cylinder and the top link arm. As a poet, Wayne wrote the poem, “Ode to the Model T” in collaboration with the poet, Grace Barney, Parma, Missouri, and it was published in one of her books of poetry.
Wayne was an excellent dancer and roller skater. Also, he played the position of shortstop on a Parma softball team that travelled throughout S.E. Missouri playing ball in the 1940s.
One of Wayne’s greatest joys in life was as an accomplished musician in playing the pedal steel guitar. He studied with Buddy Emmons, Nashville, Tennessee, the renowned legend in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. He loved playing music with his friends at his home and other locations and with the band of the Bootheel Jamboree, Bernie, Missouri, every Saturday night.
Later in Wayne's life, he purchased farmland which was a great source of pride. That land is managed and farmed by dear friends.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lottie McKenzie and his sisters: Ruth Greenwood, Mount Juliet, Tennessee; Evia Calhoun, Sikeston, Missouri; Lena Harrison, Brentwood, Tennessee; Thelma Allen, Parma; and Jean McKenzie, Parma; and one brother: Roy McKenzie, Parma.
Wayne is survived by seven nieces and nephews and 15 great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Landess Funeral Home in Malden with Masonic Services at 11:30 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. in the Landess Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Malden. Soloist will be Donna Sapp.
Honorary Pallbearers: Ellis Sapp, Charles Payne, Ricky Cravens and Ted Morgan
Pallbearers: John “J.K.” Chamberlain, Oscar Sapp, Danny Biggs, Stanley Brannon, Allen Tesreau and James Norman.