David McKenzie, 83

David L. McKenzie Sr. April 10, 1943 – May 13, 2026 

David L. McKenzie Sr., 83, of Thompson Falls, Montana, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026, at Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana at the age of 83. 

David was born on April 10, 1943, in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Kenneth and Jenny Eastman McKenzie. As a young child, he moved with his family to the Snyder community outside Thompson Falls, and later into town, where he would spend nearly his entire life. 

David attended Thompson Falls High School before joining the US Navy in 1961 where he served honorably until 1965. During his service, he was stationed aboard the USS St. Paul and sailed throughout the Pacific. One of his favorite stories was that John Wayne's 1965 movie In Harm's Way was filmed aboard his ship during a voyage from Hawaii to San Diego. 

Following his military service, David returned to Thompson Falls where he worked in the forest industry. He spent a brief period in the late 1960s logging near Hamilton alongside his brother Larry before settling back in the valley for good. He worked in the woods as a logger before going to work at Pack River Lumber in Thompson Falls, later known as Washington Idaho Forest Products, where he spent over 25 years working as a saw filer and chip-and-saw operator. After the mill closed, he worked part-time for Butte Services as a garbage truck operator and could still be spotted riding on the back of a garbage truck well into his 70s. 

It was a life built on honest work — and one trade in particular had been running quietly alongside all of it since 1976. In that year, David earned his locksmith certification and practiced the trade for more than 45 years, making keys, rekeying and installing locks, and helping people who found themselves locked out of cars or homes. He never cared much about making money from it — he simply liked helping people when they needed it. 

David was a familiar and welcome face at the local Conoco station, where he enjoyed his morning coffee and often pitched in to help prepare the daily soup. That quiet willingness to help was simply who he was — calm, rarely angry, and always ready to lend a hand or give what he could. His greatest passion was running, and he became one of the original long-distance runners in the area. 

For decades, David was a familiar sight running along Highway 200, where many locals knew him simply as the man who was always running. For over 35 years, he ran races most weekends throughout the summers, completing at least 134 races across the Pacific Northwest. When he wasn't running, he could often be found cheering, encouraging, and offering advice at local track and field and cross-country meets. 

David was first married to his high school sweetheart, Helen Bernice Baylor in Coeur d' Alene, ID in 1962, with whom he had four children. He later married Nancy Ellen Taylor in 1988, and they remained together until his passing. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Everett and Larry McKenzie; his sister Virginia "Ginger" McKenzie Lovhaug; and his daughter Allison McKenzie. 

David is survived by his wife, Nancy; his brother Roy McKenzie; his sons David "Deacon" McKenzie Jr., Scott McKenzie, and Kelley McKenzie; his grandchildren Ryan, Max, and Stephen Tuttle, Lauren Pardun, Kirk and Cade McKenzie, Michael McKenzie, Sarah Mallory, Jessica McKenzie, and Megan Wilson; 11 great-grandchildren with more on the way, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on June 20, 2026, at the Power Park in Thompson Falls.

    David McKenzie