James McKenzie Obituary

James Scott McKenzie

Funeral services for James Scott McKenzie, 60, Lawrence, will be 9:30 am Thursday, at Mustard Seed Church. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, KS.

He died Sunday June 7, 2015, at his home surrounded by his family.

James was born November 26, 1954, in Ottawa, the son of Emory J. and Harma Lou Petersen McKenzie. He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1972. James attended Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois, and completed courses in Jewelry, Jewelry Design and Hand Engraving. He worked for Tilden and Thurber in Providence, Rhode Island, as a hand engraver from 1973-1974. He moved back to Ottawa and worked at Suttons Jewelry four years. James was a police officer and firefighter in Ottawa for nine years. Then transferred to Lawrence Fire department from February 1988 to December of 2010, when he retired.

James was an avid runner and cyclist. He participated in 5K to ½ Marathons for 32 years. Many people know James for his years of riding his 1888 56' English Ordinary, or High Wheel Bicycle. He loved riding and restoring old bicycles. He was the national Commander of The Wheelman in 2007 and 2008. He traveled annually to the national meets, riding in 23 States and Ontario, Canada.

His other interests included many years of owning, restoring and driving English cars. He helped found the Lawrence All British Car Club in 1993. He has many dear friends in the car club.

James had strong faith, growing up attending church and then accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in August 1973. He is a member of Lawrence Weslyan Church. He had tremendous support from his brothers and sisters in Christ as he fought cancer.

He loved to travel and had traveled to 48 states, also visited 11 countries, his favorites being England, Scotland and Denmark.

James married Diana Hamby in 1977. The marriage was blessed by three children. He married Susan (Nee Traum) Mellon on April 9, 2006, she survives of the home. James and Susan enjoyed happiness together everyday of their 9 year marriage. They especially enjoyed travels to wheelmen meets, dining out and attending British and Antique car events. They shared the love of Sydney, their Papillion Frisbee playing dog, who preceded him in death on April 9.

Survivors include his wife Susan, children Scott Mckenzie and Andrea Hall, Big Fork, MT, Amanda and Jerrod Miller, Overland Park, Erin and Matt Tyson, Lenexa, Spencer and Amanda Mellon, Poplar Grove, IL; grandchildren, J. Gage McKenzie, Camden and Ella Miller, Brooks, Cooper and Reid Tyson and Jordan Mellon; mother Harma McKenzie; sister Karen McAdoo-McKenzie; Nephews Kirk and Kevin McAdoo; mother and father in law Robert and Marge Traum; brother in law John and Laurie Traum, Winnebago, IL, and David Traum, Rockford, IL, nieces and nephews, Kyle, Eric, Ryan, Megan, Logan Traum.

He is preceded in death by his father Emory and grandparents.

Friends may call from noon to 9 pm Wednesday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, a visitation will be from 7-9 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund for Lawrence Weslyan Church or Visiting Nurses, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com

Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.