Lawrence "Larry" Anthony Mckenzie

Lawrence ‘Larry’ Anthony McKenzie passed on November 22, 2022 at 2:22pm. He was born on November 8th, 1934. The 4th child and first son of 9 children born to Robert and Leona McKenzie. Preceded in death by four sisters, Shirley McLeod, Roberta Wilson, Pat Holliday, Caroline McKenzie, and two nephews, Mike Wilson and Chip McCallister, and one grandson, Josh Joseph.

He is survived by his wife, Orvie McKenzie and two sisters, Rachel Cook and Maxine McKenzie, and two brothers, Chuck McKenzie and Jimmy McKenzie. He leaves behind one daughter, Donna Clayton and two sons David Mckenzie and Larry Jr. McKenzie and stepchildren Sonnie Cohen, Steve Bennett, and Mike Bennett. Grandchildren Sarah, Jenny and Jason, Skylor, Crystal, Sommer and Amanda; and great grandchildren, Lily, Meghan, Austin, Judah, Avonlea, Ruby, Zay, Trey, Austin, Gracelynn, Bennett and Jaelynn.

Donna remembers him as a wonderful father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.

David remembers how he never met a stranger and enjoyed telling his life stories and making jokes. Larry Jr. inherited his talent for singing and performing. His step daughter, Sonnie remembers him as a renaissance man of many talents and knowledge and a great story teller. A true entrepreneur. His wife, Orvie held his hand as he passed. She is his biggest fan and is mourning his loss.

Larry began singing in the choir at the Immaculate Conception Church downtown where he served as an altar boy as a young man. He continued singing in high school where he won many honors including most talented, best looking, and most likely to succeed. He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1954.

He won several singing contests including the Frankie Laine talent show and appeared on the Ted Mack amateur hour. He recorded a few records and wrote many songs and poems. He also wrote three books, the most recent was titled, Many Years, Many Tears.

He was inspired in his sleeping dreams to invent games, including the fold up parking space, checker football, football pool and one was in the development stage called Trump Zone.

He was clever with numbers and enjoyed doing number tricks.

He excelled in his business career in insurance sales and multilevel marketing.

Larry was an avid Gators fan, sharing his love for the game with his brothers Chuck and Jimmy. He never missed a game except one during the war.

He will be remembered as a father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, husband, brother, and friend. We will tell his stories and think of him fondly.

The memorial and interment will be at the . 7860 Southside Blvd. December 17th at 2:00pm. Friends and Family are welcome to attend.