Sterling William McKenzie

Sterling William McKenzie was born on April 19, 1925 at the family home in Cashmere to the late Alexander Murdock and Emma Jane (Searles) McKenzie. He was raised and attended school in Cashmere. Sterling graduated with the Cashmere High School Class of 1943. In April 1943 he received a Navy V-5 pin, served briefly before a special order discharge, and spent the duration of the war in the shipyards in Seattle. He met Mary Adeline Smoot in high school and they were later married on July 14, 1945 in Leavenworth WA. They made their home and raised their family together in Cashmere. In 1950 they built their home on Tigner Road, where they resided until their deaths. Sterling and Mary were married 64 years Sterling went to work at Schmitten Lumber Company in Cashmere. It later became the Cashmere Lumber Co, Packriver Lumber Co. and Longview Fiber before he retired in the late 1980's. Sterling and Mary started square dancing in 1960 and loved to introduce square dancing to others. They volunteered their time and talent to instruct at local schools, nursing homes, retirement centers, Tall Timber Camp and church groups. Traveling the state as Square dancers, they made numerous friends. Sterling was a well known caller and instructor. They held numerous local and state offices for the square dance association, including president of Washington State Square Dance Association. They were honored in 1989 with the Parker Inspirational Award. They chaired two state square dance festivals, attended six national square dance conventions, and founded a club, "Buds and Blossoms" in 1985. Dancing trips took them to Canada, Nashville, TN, and Atlantic City, NJ. Sterling continued calling and dancing once a week until 2012. Sterling was a well known wood craftsman. For many years he created wood projects for the Vale Elementary 4th graders, Kenroy 5th graders, and Clovis Point 5th graders. He built his own home and remodeled for family and friends. His handy crafts included cutting boards, clocks, reindeer, apple boxes, birdhouses, and wooden bears. Sterling's sense of humor, generosity and willingness to help with projects will be remembered by his family, friends, and others he touched during his life. Sterling is survived by his children, Ron and Pat McKenzie of Seattle, WA, Barbara Agnew of Cashmere, WA, Patti McKenzie Douglass of Georgetown, TX, Ken and Jennifer McKenzie of Scottsdale, AZ, and daughter-in-law Dawn McKenzie of Wenatchee, WA, eleven grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Sterling was preceded in death by his parents Alexander and Emma McKenzie, his wife Mary on August 19, 2009, brothers Martin and DeWayne McKenzie, and infant brother Kenneth John McKenzie, sisters Theodosia McGrew, Rosemary McKenzie Sorensen, and Laura Nilsson, and son Wayne McKenzie. Viewing will be Monday, Oct 19th from 4 to 7 pm at the Heritage Memorial Chapel in East Wenatchee. Sterling's service will be at the Heritage Chapel Tuesday Oct 20th at 11 am, followed by his burial at the Cashmere Cemetery. Sterling's family has request that memorial be made in his name to the Cashmere School Foundation, POB 177, Monitor, WA 98836. You are invited to view his online guestbook at: www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, Cashmere

Sterling William McKenzie

April 19, 1925 - October 12, 2015