Michael McKenzie

Michael McKenzie entered into the heaven he so desired on Friday, May 1st, 2026, due to kidney failure.

Michael came into this world on February 8th, 1994, born to Leonard and Kendra (Geise) McKenzie. He was born blind with cataracts due to Lowe syndrome and barely moving because of "floppy baby" syndrome. His birth brought joy into his home and that of all his extended family and friends. With his birth came many challenges. He started throwing up continually and, through the prayer of faith, God reached down His hand and healed him. At two months of age, he had his first cataract surgery, and ten days later, the second one removed. Soon after, he got his first pair of glasses; it was so wonderful to see him look around and take in life.

At 8 months old, he started therapy, as he couldn't even lift his head off of the pillow. Susan Puckett and Cindy McMurdo were such wonderful therapists. Toys were hung from the ceiling fan on strings for him to reach up and play to get strength in his arms and hands while he lay on the floor under it. A "Johnny Jump-Up" was hung from the doorway, and he learned to bounce, and that helped his legs to gain strength. He learned to keep turning in one direction till it wound up and only one little toe was on the floor; then he lifted up and whizzed the other way round, just grinning. He was a self-entertainer.

Mikey grew very slowly due to Lowe syndrome. He was developmentally delayed, but that didn't stop him from his own methods of learning. He learned his ABCs by feeling the letters on an apple-shaped VTech toy. If you asked him to find a certain letter, he'd feel around and push the correct one. One time at Aunt Nettie's house, he was listening to a story on the computer and all of a sudden, she heard it go to chipmunk mode. She couldn't figure it out, and he had to show her how he did it!

Mikey took his first steps when he was 3 and began walking around age 4. When he stepped on a pop can and turned his foot while there, somehow all of his pains from that day forward were related to that fall. Or at least that’s what he claimed.

Mom and Dad faithfully took care of Michael from day one. Caring for Michael included much stress, doctor visits, and daily supervision. But he also brought many blessings.

Here are a few of the many things Michael was known for:

• He loved people unconditionally and never met a stranger. He loved to go to church and see all the people.
• Mikey was a big eater and loved his sweet tea
• He loved his toys and always carried them with him. Some of his favorites were: “the air toy”, “bubble soap”, school bus, and he wore out countless pianos
• He loved to travel but he was always quote, “happy to be home”
• He would tell everyone who listened “the world is a mess” and then say “Jesus is the answer”
• Mikey and Grandma Geise always talked about the “pillow business”. No one even remembers how that came about but they talked about it literally hundreds of times. Grandma would tell him she’d make war on the seat of his pants if he wasn’t good. And they would carry on back and forth.
• He was Grandpa Geise’s little buddy boy. Grandpa loved spending time with him.
• Michael began listening to tapes on his tape player when he was young. Mom was happy when he learned to run the tape player by himself and even happier when he started using headphones. He would play and rewind and play again his favorite parts over and over, driving everyone to insanity.
• One of the MacDonald’s earliest memories of Michael was when he snuck into their unlocked car and, when discovered, said he was eating “Donald’s chips”
• He would carry on about quote, “Mommy’s got a dirty house”. This extended to everyone else eventually.
• He’d pick a fight with someone and then say “let’s fight about it”
• Loved to go to work with Daddy at the manor and always enjoyed a ride on the mower
• When Mom was doing something with one of Mel’s kids, he would say “leave the baby ‘lone”
• Mikey always wanted to ride in the front seat. Adults got the back.
• He loved to wrestle with daddy and mess up his hair
• Mikey and daddy went to town on “donut trips” and often talked about all the details of imaginary cookouts
• He always enjoyed truck rides and would ask anyone and everyone if he could have a ride. It didn’t matter if he knew them or not. One time he rode around the block with a complete stranger.
• If he came up to you and said, “I love you”, that meant he was priming you for a something he wanted.
• Michael was so excited to get an actual fire truck ride a week before he passed. He had a blast honking the horn.

Mikey loved grandma and grandpa and all of his aunts, uncles, and family. He was a blessing and will be remembered and missed by all.

Michael was preceded in death by Papaw Geise in 2009, Mamaw Geise in 2024, Uncle Tim Geise in 2017, and Cousin Nathanael Geise in 2023.

Michael is survived by both parents, his brother Mark (Estefania) McKenzie of Cincinnati, Ohio, sister Melody (McKenzie) (William) MacDonald of Kearney, NE, brother Matthew (Klarchen) McKenzie of Beaver City, NE, and grandparents Albert and Evalina McKenzie of South Charleston, WV. Also, nieces and nephews Alaina, Ronan, Bethany, Brianna, Tayla, Ronin, and Edmond, along with many aunts and uncles, and loads of cousins.