Bobbie Kenneth Mckenzie

Bobbie Kenneth McKenzie, age 71, retired Rome and Floyd County Fire Chief, of #15 Ridge Drive, Rome passed away Tuesday night, July 3rd, 2012 at a Rome hospital.

A native of Jackson County, Alabama, Chief McKenzie was born on March 7th, 1941, the son of the late Bluford McKenzie and the late Geneva Muphree McKenzie Ollis. He attended Hardin Elementary School in Centre, Alabama, was a 1960 graduate of Berry High School for Boys and was a graduate of Floyd College where he received his Associate of Fire Science Degree. Chief McKenzie was a Vietnam Veteran having served in the United States Army. He was a very active member and past deacon of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee and was a long time Sunday School teacher of the Men's Department. On March 28th, 1967 Chief McKenzie joined the Rome / Floyd Country Fire Department and was named Chief of the department on December 21st, 1990. Chief McKenzie retired on September 1st, 2008 after more than 40 years of distinguished service to Rome and Floyd County. Chief McKenzie was a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs, the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs and the Georgia State Fire Fighters Association. Chief McKenzie served on the American Red Cross Board and was a Post Recipient of the Presidential Award of the Georgia State Fire Fighters Association. Chief McKenzie was a member and past Master of Oostanaula Masonic Lodge #113 F&AM where he became a member in 1971 and served as lodge secretary from 1980 thru 2011, was a member the Rome York Rite Bodies where he served as recorder, a member of the Rome Chapter #26, Royal Arch Masons, Rome Council #15 Royal and Select Masons, Rome Commandery #8 Knights Templar and the Low 12 Club. He was a charter member of Seven Hills Daylight Masonic Lodge #751 F&AM. He was preceded in death by a son, Bobbie Kenneth McKenzie, II on February 7th, 2012, by a sister, Nelda Brooks in 2009, by a brother, Larry Ollis in April 1989 and by his step-father, Rufus Ollis in 1986.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Lynda O. Phillips McKenzie to whom he was married on April 2nd, 1961 at Berry College; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Bo and Brandy McKenzie of Rome; 4 grandchildren, Skye and Mason McKenzie and Jeremy and Corey Hindman; daughter-in-law, Gayle McKenzie of Orlando Florida; 2 brothers, Charles Ollis of Cedar Bluff, Alabama and Glenn Ollis (Elaine) of Rome. Nieces and nephews also survive

A Celebration of Chief Bobbie Kenneth McKenzie's life will be held on Saturday morning, July 7th, 2012, at 11 o'clock at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. Gary Graves and Dr. Frank Wood officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens with Dr. Bill Dempsey officiating at the graveside with the Rome/Floyd County Fire Department Honor Guard conducting graveside honors.

Members of the Rome/Floyd County Fire Department Honor Guard will serve as active pallbearers. All fire fighters, members of Bobbie's Sunday School Class, members of Oostanuala Masonic Lodge and all Masons along with Bobbie's class mates from Mount Berry School for Boys are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers.

Chief McKenzie will be carried to the Calvary Baptist Church this (Friday) evening where the family will receive friends from 5 until 9 o'clock. At other hours they will be at the residence.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 101 Broadus Road NE, Rome Georgia 30161.

Please visit www.talleysparkviewchapel.com to share memories and send condolences to the family of Chief Bobbie Kenneth McKenzie.

Fred Talley and the staff of Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home is serving the family of Bobbie Kenneth McKenzie, retired Rome/Floyd County Fire Chief.