The Exchange Club of Augusta honors Jason McKenzie following plane crash
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There were mixed feelings Thursday afternoon at the Exchange Club of Augusta.
They held their annual Youth of the Year awards luncheon, honoring outstanding high school students around the CSRA.
But before those festivities began, Exchange Club of Augusta members took a moment to reflect on the life of Jason McKenzie, who died Thursday morning in a plane crash.
Rodger Murchison, the former associate pastor at First Baptist Church, shared McKenzie’s passing prior to their opening prayer.
While he mentioned McKenzie and his family during the prayer, he also recognized the passing of Corporal Todd Kitchens, who worked with the Richmond County Sheriffs Office.
Murchison says the news of McKenzie’s death is devastating, knowing what he meant to the community.
“It is very sad news, very sad,” said Murchison. “When you met Jason, you liked Jason. Friendly, outgoing – he’s the kind of person that you talked to and you realized he’s very sincere, very open in life, loved to play golf. This community is sad.”
Murchison has known the McKenzie family for a long time, and was close with his father, Don, who was a longtime member of the Exchange Club.
“I met Jason over 30 years ago when he was a young fella. His dad Don was a faithful member of our club, and his mother. They were very involved in the fair every year, so Jason as a child would go to the Exchange Club Fair,” said Murchison.
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Jason McKenzie was also a member of First Baptist Church of Augusta.
Murchison says Don McKenzie was a member of his Sunday School class, but recalls Jason being involved in several functions at the church.
“As Jason grew up, he was involved in all the youth events at First Baptist Church, but then he decided he wanted to be a member. He was so involved,” said Murchison.
Richmond County School Board Chair Charlie Walker is another Exchange Club member who knew Jason growing up.
He says the news comes as a shock.
“I’ve just known him for a long time, great guy. Very sad, very tragic. Especially when we had our Youth of the Year program today, to have to just learn of that passing. Thinking about his family, and he will be missed,” said Walker.
Murchison says while McKenzie’s loss is devastating, it’s a reminder of how important it is to be connected to our loved ones.
“As we relate to each other, we become bonded together, and Jason did that. He linked his life with so many of us in this community. Life is precious, every moment of it,” said Murchison.
Exchange Club President Mike Downing did not comment on McKenzie’s death at this time.
Members say though he’s gone, he won’t be soon forgotten.
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