McKenzie III, Allen M. “Mack”

Allen M. McKenzie III “Mack” age 74, passed into glory late on Sunday, February 13th, 2022.

Mack is survived by his wife, Margaret (née Unterseh), his four children: Billie (Tony) Arens, Trena (Don)Cook, Michelle (Andrew)Gausch, and Todd Boyer. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Steffen Gausch, Bryce and Skyler Arens, Britney and Michael Boyer. Sister-In-Law Madeline (Michael) McKenzie, and many, many very beloved family members and friends. He is proceeded in death by his father, Allen M. Jr., mother, Mary Jane (née Avery) and brother Michael McKenzie.

January 11th, 1948 Mack came into this world and spent his early years in South St. Louis city, learning auto restoration and mechanics, how to win a fight and how to receive and give love. Mack told many stories about those days with fond memories of his whole clan, his youthful shenanigans and his great aunt Blanche’s amazing cooking. Of course we all know that if you sat with him for more than a few minutes you would hear a fantastic story. He lived a vibrant, cinematic life. His parents eventually moved the family out to Otto, Missouri, where they imparted the love of hunting, fishing and all things outdoors. After high school graduation, Mack enlisted in the US Air Force, where he served over 21 years with distinction with the special security police and tactical air command around the world. He shouldered the secrets of those years with strength and dignity. Three tours in the Vietnam War, earned him several medals, including Purple Hearts, a Meritorious Service Award,  a Bronze Star, and many other certificates and decorations. He had fantastic, comical and tragic travels around the globe. He earned his black belt under a Sensei in Asia. He was put off of pineapple for life after serving in Hawaii and never again ate salami after binging on care package pepperoni. Stateside he would often seek out German leberknödel or Italian cioppino, rekindling memories of those globe-trekking. Msgt. Mack wrapped up his military career in the sunshine state training the next generation of Defenders. Teaching each and every one the skills to stay alive and succeed, as though they were his own kids; because to him they were. When he finally left military life, the discipline and patriotism he learned in the Air Force never left him, as friends and family will attest. That same discipline earned him a degree in criminal justice and a second degree, as well. He was a lifetime learner, an avid reader and an armchair jeopardy champ. His passion to protect and serve led him to full career in law enforcement back in his own community; giving eight years to Crystal City, MO PD, where he received the medal of valor for rescuing an 8 year old boy from a cave. From Crystal City, he transferred to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in a supervisory capacity over the K-9 Unit. This role again saw Mack pouring his salty wisdom into another generation and brought many amazing dogs through his heart. It’s hard to imagine Mack without his precious pets, whether it was his prized show Chow’s in California, his twin Rottweiler Stehl, or his last “retriever” partner, “Ollie”. His spirit of excellence again earned him a medal of valor while serving with JCSD. It was in the transition between those two departments, though, that the most significant event occurred and won him his greatest prize. It was then that he was introduced by mutual friends to the love of his life, Marge. They quickly fell and soon married. Mack was welcomed with open arms by the whole family and fast became a favored uncle at holidays.  Mack and Marge bought a beautiful log home on acreage outside of DeSoto, Missouri and settled in for the duration. When Mack finally retired from law enforcement to pursue his other passions, he filled his hours with fishing, woodworking, travel, Discovery Channel, spending time with his beloved wife and family and sitting with a great novel for hours on the front porch of that same cabin. 29 years there has flown by and seems too short a time for us now. But even in retirement Mack never went out into the community without running into someone that he knew, someone he’d worked with or someone he had helped along the way.  He was so very well loved and he loved so very well. Though Mack used to regale us all with tales of his glory days, it is only now that he’s truly living his days in Glory.

Visitation Services for Mack will be held this Sunday, February 20th, 3:00-9:00pm at Kutis Funeral Home, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO.

A brief service will be held at Kutis on Monday, February 21st at 9:00am, before proceeding to Jefferson Barracks Cemetery for 10:00 interment with full military honors.  Memorial contributions to Backstoppers PO Box 795168 St. Louis, MO 63179-0700, appreciated.