Julius "Mac" McKenzie

Julius “Mac” McKenzie, 61, of Crestview, Florida, passed away on April 16, 2026 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.

He was born on October 26, 1964 to Aaron and Judy McKenzie in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mac married his high school sweetheart, Vanessa, before joining the Air Force and proudly serving his country for 20 years. Most of his Air Force career was served at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, “Home of the B-2 Bomber,” where he and Vanessa raised their 3 children, Gavin, Greg and Zach. After retiring from the Air Force in 2003, he continued his career as a contractor at Whiteman Air Force Base and later, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida further dedicating an additional 23 years of his life’s work in support of the military and country he so proudly served.  

Mac was an avid sports fan who passed his passion for sports down to his children and grandchildren. Hockey (St. Louis Blues), baseball (St. Louis Cardinals), football (Kansas City Chiefs), college sports (MIZZOU) and even NASCAR were staples in the McKenzie home. If the sport was in season, he was watching it…sometimes 12 games at a time! He enjoyed grilling, eating Kansas City barbecue, working in the yard, swimming and listening to music. Dinner and Retro Band Nights with old friends were some of his favorites. Through the years, he loved many pets. Most recently, he and Vanessa found a passion for taking their 4 dogs, Macey, Bailey, Ellie and Mollie to compete in Barn Hunt, making many new friends along the way. But most of all, he was abundantly proud of his grandkids and loved being with them any chance he could whether it was FaceTiming from a distance, night swimming, playing video games, coloring, doing puzzles, brushing their hair or just trying to make them laugh, spending time with them was a great joy in his life.

Mac is preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Judy McKenzie. He is survived by his wife, Vanessa McKenzie of Crestview, Florida, his 3 sons, Gavin McKenzie (Leslie) of Warrensburg, Missouri, Gregory (Andrea) McKenzie of Olathe, Kansas and Zachary McKenzie (Courtney) of Crestview, Florida, his brother-in-law whom he loved like a son, Derrick (Megan) Sims of Liberty, Missouri, his 9 grandchildren, Autumn, Alaina, Gwendolyn and Lydia McKenzie, Blake and Hailee McKenzie and Heath, Henry and Adeline Sims, his brother, Jay McKenzie of Atlanta, Georgia, 3 sisters, Kim Wolf of Dupo, Illinois, Nina (Mike) Crase of Thayer, Missouri and Heidi (Dan) Bachesta of Imperial, Missouri along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Crosspoint, South Crestview, 2250 PJ Adams Pkwy, Crestview, Florida with Mathew Hargett officiating. 

Friends may visit from 1:30 pm until the service hour Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Crosspoint, South Crestview.

In lieu of flowers, a gift may be made to @MacBarnHunt (Venmo) to be used towards a future memorial barn hunt event at Agility Paws in Crestview, Florida.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Julius "Mac" McKenzie, please visit our floral store.