Funeral service for Mac "Brad" McKinzie, age 80, Cache, will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 17, 2017 in University Church of Christ with Eric Sharum and Weldon Flanagan officiating.

Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Mac "Brad" McKinzie died Sunday, November 12, 2017 in Lawton.  He was born July 17, 1937 in Olustee, Oklahoma.  His parents were Virgil and Doris Bradley McKinzie.  His father worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and his mother was a chief operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.  They moved to Hollywood, California when Mac was 5 years old.  At age 8, they moved back to Oklahoma in 1945 and he attended school in Altus, Tuttle and Rush Springs.  He graduated from Rush Springs High School in 1956 where he was a four year letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track.  He was selected as an All-state split end in football, and in 1955 set a state record at the state track meet in the 440 yard event.  He went on to attend college at Central State University.

He married his high school sweetheart and best friend, LaDonna Yvonne Curtis, June 9, 1956.  They moved to Bellville, Texas where he was a buyer and shipper of watermelons for Bernard and Lowry, Inc.  Later, while attending college, he worked in the oil fields at night.

The couple was blessed by the births of their children, Donna Denice in 1957 and their son, Shawn Darren, in 1960.

Over the years, Mac, or Brad (as he was known by his fellow employees) worked as manager for Safeway stores in Chickasha, Ardmore, Anadarko and Lawton.  He was later employed for several years as manager for Herb's food stores in Lawton.

In 1977, he was appointed by the Oklahoma Senate as the Comanche County Motor License Agent, and he served on the Advisory Board for the Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma Tax Commission.  Brad was also appointed as an Honorary Highway Patrol by the Department of Public Safety Commissioner Dedeck and Assistant Commissioner Lapusa.

Brad and his wife, LaDonna, partnered in the operation of University Center, a landscaping, irrigation and hydro-seeding company for almost 30 years.

In 1994, Brad and LaDonna formed an equal partnership with Dan and Diane Mullins by purchasing the Nissan dealership operating as "Dan Mullins Nissan" in Lawton.

Brad was a longtime Life Member of Lawton Ambucs since 1966, serving as past President, District Governor for five terms, and a five year member of the National Scholarship Committee.  He, along with his wife, were members of Cameron University President Partnership, the Cameron University Gold Club, and the Cameron Athletic Association.  Brad was a 44 year member of Lawton/Ft.Sill Chamber of Commerce.  He was also a 41 year member of ToTag, the Oklahoma Tag Agents Group.

He joined Ducks Unlimited in 1977, serving as Auction Chairman for 25 years.  He was also a life member of the Elk Foundation.  He served five years on the board of directors and treasurer for the Lawton Family Christian Counseling Center.

Brad loved fishing, hunting, flying, cars, woodworking, building things, and all sports.  He and LaDonna faithfully followed sporting events and school activities of their children and grandchildren across the state of Oklahoma and as far away as Australia.  He loved coaching football and basketball, forming a life-long bond with the players who still fondly call him "coach".

As a member of the University Church of Christ for over 40 years, Brad served as a deacon and elder.  He considered the greatest honors bestowed upon him to be a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, an elder in the Lord's church and to serve in each of these positions with a strong love and dedication to his family and church family.   "I love my wife of 61 years and the love we share together for our children, Denice and Shawn,  our grandchlldren, Brett, Lindsay, Travis and Sarah, and our great-granddaughter, Acelynn.  My family is truly the love of my life!"

He is preceded in death by precious family members, his father and mother; brother Ronnie McKinzie,  and sister-in-law Eva McKinzie, from Joplin, Missouri.  He was also preceded in death by many dear friends which grieved his heart deeply.

He is survived by his wife, LaDonna, of the home; daughter, Denice Ross of Lawton; son and daughter-in-law, Shawn and Mary McKinzie of Lawton; four grandchildren, Brett Ross of Marble Falls, Texas, Lindsay Ross of Oklahoma City, Travis and wife, Megan McKinzie of Chickasha, Sarah McKinzie of Lawton, and great-granddaughter, Acelynn Ross of Frederick; and his sister, JoAnn Dryden and her husband Bill of Rush Springs.

Mac "Brad" McKinzie was loved dearly and will be missed by his family and many friends and associates.

Memorial contributions for the purchase of Amtrykes may be made to Lawton AMBUCS, P.O. Box 242, Lawton OK 73502.