Derek Martin McKenzie, age 39, passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, October 6, 2021. He was born June 22, 1982 in Mesa, AZ. He is survived by his parents Lee and Barbara McKenzie, his siblings Michelle Parks (Pat), Jamie Foutz (Tyler), Charlie McKenzie (Sandee), Bree McKenzie, sister-in-law Kimala McKenzie, 13 nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephew. Derek was preceded in death by his older brother Sean McKenzie.

He was born and raised in Arizona and attended Mesa Public Schools where he graduated from Westwood High School and then went on to attend Mesa Community College. He served a two-year mission in Independence, Missouri for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his mission he worked several different jobs and for the past eight years had been a caregiver for his brother-in-law.

Derek loved his nieces and nephews and they adored him. At family gatherings you could always find him hanging out with them. He loved movies, especially Sci-Fi and Horror. He had recently become an avid reader, he loved music and listening to his records and was a video game aficionado. The past few years he had really gotten into cooking, baking and taking care of his plants. His best friend and roommate, Taylor, has two dogs that Derek loved. They were laying next to him when he passed away. Derek was a kind, loving, compassionate person who always reached out to help others in their time of need, even when he was having a hard time himself. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, October 12, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in the Primary room at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church, 2228 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 PM in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Derek’s name to the Epilepsy Foundation. Here is a link to their website: https://donate.epilepsy.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=47584