Clovis Alfred Mckenzie

Two months shy of his 97th birthday, Clovis Alfred "Buck" McKenzie passed away peacefully on the evening of November 24, 2017. Although reared in Effingham, Illinois, Buck was born in Coello on January 19, 1921 to E.W. and Myrtle McKenzie. He is survived by his younger brother Bob, sons Steve and wife Mickey, Greg and wife Reeny, Jeff, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Buck and his beloved wife Mary Elizabeth were married for 73 years. He was predeceased by Mary, his parents, brothers Chuck and Jim, sister Maxine and son Pat. Buck earned a Bachelor of Science and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Illinois. His education was interrupted by World War II, when Buck eagerly enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army. He served proudly and bravely, including a brief tour of duty in Japan, and was honorably discharged in 1945 as a First Lieutenant. He and Mary moved to Oklahoma City in 1947 where Buck joined the Legal Department of Kingwood Oil Company, eventually rising to the position of Vice-President and General Counsel. Buck left Kingwood to form an oil and gas law firm with his dear friend Hank Watson. Buck was a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association for 70 years and during that entire period of his practice was exclusively devoted to oil and gas. Buck considered law to be an honorable profession and the Oklahoma oil and gas industry vital to the wellbeing of the state. One of Buck's greatest joys was mentoring young lawyers in the practice of oil and gas law. In doing so, he became an irreplaceable friend and counselor to dozens of young attorneys. Buck was an unfailingly joyful person who never spoke ill of others. He was uplifting, witty, thankful, graceful, compassionate and loyal. Buck was an accomplished musician who played the tenor saxophone with numerous bands and orchestras for more than 75 years. Most charitably, he was also an "enthusiastic" golfer, although he really did card four hole-in-ones during his "career". Buck maintained an unshakable Christian faith since childhood and was a founding member of the First Christian Church where he also served as deacon. The McKenzie family is genuinely grateful for the tender care furnished Buck by the talented staff at Concordia Life Care Community and Mercy Hospice.