In Loving Memory of Leslie Walter Mackenzie
April 8, 1956 – August 25, 2021
Les rode off into the wild blue yonder from the Surrey Memorial Hospital on August 25, 2021 due to complications of severe lung disease.
Les was born in Kamloops, BC on April 8, 1956 to his parents, Doug and June Mackenzie (nee Harris). He spent the majority of his younger years in Barriere, BC where he attended school and excelled at gymnastics. He was the proud bugler for the First Barriere Mounted Scouts and was honoured along with the rest of the troop, to have met Queen Elizabeth on one of her visits to Kamloops. Throughout his teens and early twenties, Les traveled extensively throughout BC, Alberta and the United States on the rodeo circuit riding broncs and bulls. There was always a special place in his heart for his bulls, horses and cats, especially “Marmie.” Les had many talents besides his special way with animals. He was also a talented artist; sketching, painting and sculpting. Les was an avid model train collector and often put his talents towards creating elaborate layouts. Les loved to sing and played the guitar. He had a great sense of humour, loved to tell jokes, stories and often repeated lines of his favorite movies. Les was a generous man who would give his last dollar, a meal and a bed if you were in need.
Les was predeased by his father Douglas (1972), his mother June (2008), his brother Lyle (1991) and his stepfather Mienhart Witte (2011).
To mourn his passing are his sisters Terry Gorley (Merv) of Barriere, BC and Sherri VanDenBrink of Vernon, BC. Along with his sister-in-law Shelley Mackenzie of Clearwater, BC, his Uncle Gordon Mackenzie (Lilac) of Ladysmith, BC, nieces, nephews and numerous cousins.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Royal Inland and Surrey Memorial hospitals for their kindness and care of Les.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Mustard Seed Kamloops Outreach Centre at 181 Victoria St. W, Kamloops, BC V2C 5L7 would be greatly appreciated. Donations may also be made on their webpage: theseed.ca/services
Following covid protocols, an informal Celebration of Life was held in Les’ honour on September 11, 2021.
“And the cowboy rides away”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Leslie Walter Mackenzie 1956 –..
Death notice for the town of: Barriere, Province: Colombie britanique