Wesley MacKenzie

Wesley Norman MacKenzie, 89, passed away on October 18, 2022. He was born on September 8, 1933 in Olean, New York to Ira and Aletha MacKenzie and lived in Limestone, New York. His father purchased a 35 acre (grapes and dairy) farm outside of Buffalo in 1943. His father worked in a factory from 3 PM until 11 PM every day. He did chores, such as milking cows, etc. in the morning. Wesley and his brother did chores in the afternoon.

In 1951, Wesley’s brother got notice to be drafted into the Army and Wesley decided to enlist in the US Navy. He went to boot camp in Bainbridge, Maryland for 13 weeks. He came home for two weeks, then took the train from Buffalo, New York to Norfolk, Virginia and got on the USS Bears (654) and departed for overseas. He stopped in England and then to the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey, Athens and other ports in the Mediterranean for 8 months or so.

Wesley came back to the states, transferred to the USS H.J. Elison (864) and went back to the Mediterranean. Wesley’s ship went through a hurricane and the aircraft carrier was taking waves over the flight deck. Wesley spent about a year in the Atlantic Ocean and was discharged in 1954.

He and his brother went to work for Welch Grape Juice then went to work at Kraft Food Factory. They had an opening for a truck driver and Wesley transferred to truck driver. He made 3 trips a week from Buffalo to Chicago in 1971 and then got laid off.

Wesley came to Corpus Christi on vacation and decided to stay. He went to work for the City of Corpus Christi (Wastewater Division) as a laborer. He went to night school at Texas A&M Corpus Christi and got his Wastewater License. He transferred to Whitecap Wastewater and Jester Street Water Plant. He studied hard for his wastewater license, obtained it and was transferred to Oso Plant. Wesley was the Supervisor there for 17 years. He had a slight stroke and the doctor advised him to retire. After 27 years, he finally retired.

He bought a new Dodge Diesel and 34’ fifth wheel and started traveling. He traveled to the Grand Canyon, Devil’s Tower and Niagara Falls. He traveled from California to New York! He eventually got tired of traveling and decided to stay home. A Deacon from his church got him to volunteer and he would go to the food bank and Sam’s to pick up food with his own truck. They finally got a used van and Wesley would drive it to pick up food once a week. He received a number of awards and was named Person of the Month in July 2016.

Wesley is preceded in death by his parents, wife and two daughters, Renee and Rhonda. He is survived by his daughters, Robin and Rebecca. Wesley loved to spend time with his family; especially at family dinners and birthdays.

Visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, November 5, 2022 beginning at 12:30 PM. Memorial Service will follow at 2:00 PM. Inurnment will be private.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the MacKenzie family.