Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

County Loses 'Treasure'

Horace H. McKenzie's passing will affect not only Prescott and Nevada ounty, but the entirety of Southwest Arkansas.

McKenzie, 91, died Saturday at his home. Though he may be gone, those who knew him say he will never be forgotten because of who he was and the contributions he made to Prescott and the surrounding area.

State Senator Mike Ross called McKenzie a true pioneer in providing economic development to the region, playing a vital role in helping attract industry here.

"His dedication to the community through the church, civic and economic development were unparalleled," Ross said.

"He was someone I learned to respect when I was a child, and turned to for counsel and advice as a state senator. He will be sorely missed by people of all walks of life -- not only in Nevada County, but across Arkansas."

McKenzie and Al Graves Sr. were partners in a law firm for a few years. Graves said McKenzie was a close friend he tried many cases with and against.

"He enjoyed practicing law," Graves said of his friend. "He was not about to leave office. He was dedicated, extremely careful in everything he did and took a great deal of pride in his work."

Graves said McKenzie was the soul of honor, a fine gentleman with impeccable manners.

State Rep. Percy Malone also called McKenzie a long-time friend. In fact, McKenzie handled the business deal when Malone purchased the building where Taylor's Big Star is from Everett Ward.

"He'll be dearly missed," Malone said. "I could always count on him to be a man of his word."

McKenzie was a long-time member of the Prescott Rotary Club, where he served as a past president and was bestowed the honor of being a Paul Harris Fellow.

Former Rotary President Dan Yowell said McKenzie was like a member of his family, as he has known him for more than 35 years.

"We always enjoyed him," Yowell said. "When we came down from Fayetteville, he'd make sure to come and visit, and when he went there, he'd always come by." Yowell said McKenzie was an avid Razorback fan.

"They're a wonderful family," he continued. "This is a loss to the community. He was a father figure to a lot of people around here. He was really dedicated to Prescott, Nevada County and Southwest Arkansas.

"His life is an example for all of us to look up to. He was very humble. We're glad Rotary was able to do that (bestow the Paul Harris Fellow) at that time. It meant a lot to him."

R.K. McCasland was another of McKenzie's old friends. He said McKenzie was knowledgeable of business in Nevada County and a strong supporter of Potlatch after it bought Ozan Lumber Co.

"He was the type of attorney who provided stability within the business community," McCasland said. "He was good for Prescott and Nevada County, was a strong supporter of the First United Methodist Church. He was a fixture there."

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor knew McKenzie since the late 1950s. Taylor said he found McKenzie's advice invaluable, while the man himself was extremely hospitable.

"He had a way of making you feel welcome when in his office," Taylor said. "He promptly and skillfully directed me in a way that successfully resolved any problem I had shared with him."

According to Taylor, McKenzie was always focused and expressed ideas and ambitions, as well as future possibilities for Prescott.

"I consider him one of the city's greatest leaders," Taylor said.

McKenzie, a lifelong resident of the county, was born March 6, 1905.

He was a graduate of Prescott High School at the age of 15, leaving to attend then-Henderson Brown College.

Following his father's death, he managed the McKenzie Abstract and Realty Company, while he continued studying law. He became a licensed attorney March 6, 1933, the day he turned 28.

McKenzie and Lawrence Britt exchanged wedding vows Nov. 23, 1940. The two were wed for 50 years until her death Nov. 30, 1990.

He spent a great deal of time working with civic groups and organizations, being an organizer of the Prescott Country Club and Prescott Hunting and Fishing Club.

He was a president of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, and received the first Golden Treasure Award in 1995. In 1979, he was named Citizen of the Year.

McKenzie also served as president of the Rotary Club and Prescott School Board.

His efforts in the area of economic development helped get Prescott Manufacturing to locate in the city, as well as getting the Robbins Plant here. The Robbins Plant is where the Firestone Building Products facility currently is.

McKenzie was the primary organizer of the Prescott Federal Savings and Loan Association in 1934, remaining chairman of the board of directors for 40 years.

He served on the board of the Ozan Lumber Co. before it was sold to the Potlatch Corporation, and was also a member of the board of the Logan Grocer Co.

McKenzie didn't shirk his duty to the nation either. From 1942 until 1946, he served in the Judge Advocate Corps with the U.S. Army.

He was discharged after attaining the rank of Major and returned to his home in Prescott.

Upon returning, he resumed his law practice, which was a solo office until 1949, when the law firm of Tompkins, McKenzie and McRae was formed with W.V. Tompkins, Charles H. Tompkins and Duncan McRae.

Since then the firm has continued and prospered, becoming McKenzie, McRae, Vasser and Barber.

McKenzie was a member of the Arkansas and American Bar Associations, Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers; and a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers.

He served from 1965-68 on the State Board of Law Examiners and for a number of years on the Arkansas Statute Revision Commission.

In 1973 he was appointed as a Special Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court.

McKenzie was also a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Administrative Board.

He leaves behind a son, Jim McKenzie of Prescott; a daughter-in-lay, Betty McKenzie of Prescott; one sister, three granddaughters and one great granddaughter.