Roll Call Tribute

James Garrett "Jim" McKenzie 

September 21, 1934 - January 15, 2025 

James Garrett McKenzie was born September 21, 1934, in Houston, Texas and passed away peacefully with family by his side on January 15th, 2025, in Port Charlotte, Florida at the age of 90.

Jim was the son of Harold J. and Jewl (Gatlin) McKenzie. H.J. was President of the Cotton Belt Railway System and Executive Vice President of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Texas and New Orleans.

Jim graduated high school from Saint Louis Country Day School. He received his BS in Engineering and a 2nd Lieutenant Commission in the US Army Reserve at Texas A&M University. He served 8 years in the reserve and received an honorable discharge as a Captain.

Jim worked 10 years as an Engineer and Superintendent on bridge construction for the Austin Bridge Company of Dallas, Texas. He joined Collins Radio in Dallas, Texas and completed construction of a facility in California. He was the in-country manager over a large (210’ diameter) deep space dish antenna outside of Madrid, Spain. While in Madrid he met and later married Francine Welch McKenzie.

Jim was Vice President and in-country manager over the design and construction of facilities in Iran. Unfortunately, the job was interrupted by the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Jim was especially proud of successfully removing the entire team and their families from Iran as the situation became unsafe. He was reassigned as a manager of design and construction of a facility outside of Atlanta, Georgia for the Missile System Division of Rockwell International.

His next assignment was as a manager of Rockwell’s facilities in Palmdale, California. This position supported the design and construction of facilities of assembly and check-out of the B1B Bomber. Jim’s last assignment with Rockwell International was managing the construction of the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia.

After 29 years with Rockwell International, Jim retired in 1996. He and Francine moved aboard their sailboat and sailed south to Punta Gorda, Florida. They joined the Isles Yacht Club and were active in cruising, racing, kayaking, and biking for many years. In the year 2000, using their motor cruiser, they completed the Great Loop Trip, circumnavigating the eastern United States. Their 40-year marriage ended with Francine’s passing in 2014. Jim later relocated to South Port Square in Port Charlotte, Florida where he was joined by his long-term companion Sylvia Chatterton.

Jim is survived by his sister Marcella Miller, Annapolis, Maryland; son Garrett McKenzie, Gainesville, Virginia; daughter Lynda Gardocki and husband Peter. Also, he is survived by five adult grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and Sylvia Chatterton. Preceding him in death were his parents, grandparents, wife Francine, and daughter-in-law Margaret McKenzie.

A private burial will take place at the McKenzie Family plot at the Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home in Houston, Texas.