Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott loses "gentleman" with passing of Jim McKenzie part 1

A gentleman.

This one word came into the conversation more than once as people talked Friday about the life and death of Jim McKenzie, a local attorney who died Friday, March 1, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

McKenzie was a partner in the local law firm McKenzie, McRae, Barber and Vasser.

Over his career as an attorney, he has help many positions with the Arkansas Bar Association, including being a past president of the group.

McKenzie was also active in many aspects of the community, including the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the First United Methodist Church.

It was that tendency to be involved, as well as his personality, that came to light as some who were associated with McKenzie talked about him.

McKenzie's law firm has been a member of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce since March 1, 1981, according to Mary Godwin, executive director of the Chamber.

Godwin said McKenzie served on various Chamber committees over the years, and said he was always willing to take time to help with chamber business. She said she would telephone his office, tell him she had a question, and he would make time to listen and give his advice.

"He was just a nice guy," Godwin said. "It'll be such a loss to this community."

That thought was echoed by Howard Austin, McKenzie's friend and fellow Kiwanian.

"He was somebody who always tried to do what he could to help people," Austin said. "Mr. McKenzie was a person to be admired."

John Teeter is a member of Kiwanis, but Teeter's association with McKenzie goes back much farther.

"I've known him always," Teeter said.

Teeter said he knew McKenzie's parents, and has known McKenzie since he was a baby.

"He was personable, even tempered. He was a number one sort of person. I'm sure he had faults, but they didn't show to the public."

Teeter said McKenzie has been a Kiwanis member for at least two decades and has served in a variety of offices and committees during that time.

Actually, McKenzie had been a member of the Kiwanis Club since Jan. 1, 1968. He served as president of the organization and worked on the club's different committees, especially the youth services committee, as he believed in helping the area's young people.

Godwin said McKenzie exhibited a sense of honesty that isn't often found in this day.

"When he told you something, you knew it was the truth," she said. "His handshake was still good."

Both Godwin and Austin said they would sum up McKenzie's character in a word.

"Gentleman."

Judge Duncan Culpepper worked with McKenzie several years at the firm, before venturing out on his own.

Culpepper said McKenzie was probably one of the most respected and admired attorneys in Arkansas.

"He was a hard worker," Culpepper said, "not just in the law, but in the community. I remember him working long hours at the office, but always making time for his family and friends."

McKenzie and his wife, Betty, were co-chairmen of a fund-raising event when the Nevada County Association for Retarded Citizens built a school.

Culpepper said McKenzie was health conscious as well, and both ran and played golf.

At one 5k race in the Chicken and Egg Festival, McKenzie, his wife and daughters, all won their categories.

"He will be missed by his friends, family and the bar association," Culpepper said.