Glen Roderick Mckenzie

Glen Roderick McKenzie, age 88, of Summerville, died Monday, August 14, 2006 at a local care facility. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. in McKenzie Theatre on the campus of Eastern Oregon University. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Mr. McKenzie was born on August 22, 1917, the son of Clyde and Myra (Glenn) McKenzie in Summerville, Oregon. He attended grade school at Pleasant Grove and part time at Central School in La Grande. He graduated from La Grande High School with the class of 1934 where he was a Hi-Dad Honor Student. He attended Eastern Oregon Normal School and graduated with the class of 1936. During this time he was a member of the Theta Delta Phi Honor Society and he farmed with his father.

Mr. McKenzie took Civilian Pilot Training in La Grande from 1940-1941 and served as a 1st Lieutenant with the U.S. Army Air Force. After his honorable discharge he returned to a farming partnership with his father. On July 4, 1947 he married Jean Williams.

Mr. McKenzie was a very active member in the community. He was a charter member of the Union County Cattlemen's Association and was the first secretary of that organization and served in that position for several years. He also served a term as their president. He was a life member of Oregon Wheat Grower's League, a member of the advisory group for Eastern Oregon Experiment Station, Chairman of La Grande Farm Bureau and a member of the Imbler school board for 12 years, serving as chairman for one term. He was a charter member of Bustles and Beaux Square Dance Club and a charter member of the Union County Planning Commission, serving as chairman for 12 years. During the time he served on the commission the county received recognition from the National Association of Counties for land use planning. Union County was the first fully zoned county in Oregon and was also the first to have first minimum acreage requirements for farm land.

Mr. McKenzie and his wife, Jean, co-chaired the Union County Bicentennial Committee. He was a charter member and secretary of Blue Mountain Chapter of Oregon Pilot's Association, was a member and chairman for 20 years of the Union County Extension Advisory Council, he was chairman of the organization that successfully promoted the Extension Service District. He was a board member of the Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation, serving one term as the chairman and was a Trustee on the Eastern Oregon University Foundation. He was also a Charter Member of the EOU President's Club.

Over the years he and his wife earned the EOSC Distinguished Citizens Award and had a theater named after them, the Glen and Jean McKenzie Theater. Glen won various other awards, including OSU Extension Cooperator, OSU 75 Year Club and the OSU Agricultural Hall of Fame, Chamber of Commerce Service to farm community and Man of the Year in 1974. He was Cattleman of the year in 1989, Master of Ceremonies for the Farmer-Merchant Banquet for 35 years.

Survivors include his nephew, Howard Hansen of Beaverton; niece, Carol Boynton of Bend and other relatives and friends. His wife, Jean, preceded him in death on March 6, 1993.

Remembrances may be made to the Eastern Oregon University Foundation or the Grande Ronde Hospital Foundation in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.