Samuel Harris McKenzie

Samuel Harris McKenzie, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and friend, passed away at the age of 90 on May 26, 2024. Sam bravely fought a brief battle with leukemia and was cared for in the comfort of his daughter and son-in-law’s home in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he was surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 22, 1934, in Candor, North Carolina, a place that remained special to Sam throughout his life and where many of his cherished family still reside. Sam was a devoted husband, married for 61 years to his wife Kay, a dedicated father who was always there for his family, and the best “Papa” to his granddaughter. He was recognized as a good man to all who knew him and was like a father to many family friends.

In addition to being successful in his family life, Sam was successful in education and business. He served in the US Army during the Korean war and proudly attended Pfeiffer College and the University of North Carolina with help from the GI Bill. He graduated UNC in 1959 with a BS in Business Administration and was a lifelong Tar Heel fan. He was a true career man, working for Liberty Mutual for 37 years, where he moved through the ranks to become a top South East regional sales manager and helped develop the company’s sales training programs. Throughout his career he lived in Jacksonville, FL, Chattanooga, TN, Charlotte, NC, and Stone Mountain, GA, where he settled and raised his family. After retiring from Liberty Mutual, Sam’s desire to stay active, along with his love for cars, drew him to enjoy a second successful career at CarMax. While there, he helped to pioneer one of the county’s first on-line car sales programs.

Sam valued spending time with family and friends and loved to travel. Over the years, he had boats, campers, RVs, and a condo in Pinehurst, NC. This allowed him to enjoy time at the lake, tailgating at Braves games, camping trips with family, playing a little golf, and infield camping at NASCAR races, an event he and his son enjoyed many times together. He especially loved spending time at the beach with family. He was known as an excellent dancer, teaching his daughter to dance at an early age, and winning many shag dance contests on trips to the Carolina coast in his youth.
Sam was proud of his American heritage as a descendent of Sir William Henry Brewster (1566/67 – 1644), a Mayflower passenger in 1620 who became senior elder and the leader of Plymouth Colony. His family roots also go back eleven generations to Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was a Great Uncle on his Mother’s side (Ruby Harris McKenzie) and is his granddaughter’s namesake.

His positive demeanor, friendly spirit, generosity, and keen intellect will forever inspire his family and friends and his memory will live on within their hearts.

Sam’s is survived by his wife Katherine (Kay) Rutland McKenzie, son, Robert Michael McKenzie and his wife Rene McKenzie, daughter, Jill McKenzie Burr and her husband James Burr, granddaughter, Katherine (Katie) Emerson Burr, brother, Joseph McKenzie and his wife Pat McKenzie, along with many beloved extended family and in-laws.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Candor, NC during the last weekend in June.

Condolences to Kay McKenzie and the family can be sent to: C/O Jill McKenzie Burr, 2218 McCurdy Rd., Stone Mountain, GA 30087.