Ronald Lee McKenzie, age 72, of Bee Spring, KY, passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at the Bowling Green Medical Center.

He was born on September 7, 1940 in Louisville, the son of the late Henry B. and Gertie Marie Franklin McKenzie.

He was a retired auto worker from Ford Motor Company, and a retired member of U.A.W. Local 862 in Louisville. He was a member and past Post Commander of the American Legion Post 81, in Leitchfield, and a member of the American Legion Riders.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, Specialist 4th Class from the 61st Artillery, 3rd Division. Mr. McKenzie was also an honored member of the organization called the “40 & 8”. This is an organization of elite leaders of the American Legion formed in 1920. The group was named so because the boxcar used to transport troops in France could only hold forty men and eight horses. The organization’s members were called “military travelers”.

He is survived by his wife, Lottie McKenzie; one son, Ronald McKenzie, Jr. and his wife Lorrie, of Louisville; one daughter, Lisa Myers and her husband Ronald, of Louisville; three step-sons, Timothy Mudd and his wife Tina, of Leitchfield, Chris Mudd and his wife Mary, of Millwood, and James Mudd, of Leitchfield; 18 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren also survive.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Monica and Kellie McKenzie, and two brothers, Burren and Wayne McKenzie.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 p.m. noon on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Dermitt Funeral Home in Leitchfield. Bro. Otto Ballou will be officiating. Cremation will follow.

Visitation will be at the Dermitt Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and from 9:00 a.m. Saturday until time of services.