By now, many of you may have heard of the passing of our good friend and mentor Jim MacKenzie. Jim’s absence leaves a large hole in our industry and a great sadness in the hearts of those who knew him. For those of you who didn’t know Jim, I thought I’d share some of my memories of him.
When I met Jim in 2004 he was introduced to me as the sales rep for Helena Chemical but I quickly came to know him as much more. Jim was a farmer, through and through. When he would stop by the vineyard as part of his route, he would spend a good long time just chatting. He always had a story or two to tell from his long history in agriculture and it didn’t take long to discover that each story had a lesson hidden within. He had an easy way of teaching without ever letting you know you were being taught. I will always remember him for his easy manner, good nature and that funny little chuckle of his.
Jim spent many hours in the vineyards he serviced and his enthusiasm for his work and for the grape industry was contagious. Every spring he would hold a growers meeting that not only informed the attending growers of new products and label changes but provided honest and practical insight into how best to use the products he promoted. Jim further serviced the industry through his membership in the VVA, his consulting business – Mackenzie Ag Consulting – and by designing and building several specialized machines to improve farming practices for his growers. He was equally engaged with his clients in the tree fruit, field and row crop industries.
At home Jim was a family man who enjoyed hunting, growing pumpkins and working in his shop. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family.
Memorial services for Jim will be held this weekend at Omps Funeral Home in Winchester, VA. Please follow this link to his obituary for more details. http://www.ompsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/James-Mackenzie/.
Jim will be deeply missed by those whose lives he touched. The world will seem a little emptier without him. Rest well my friend.
Tom Kelly