HUNTSVILLE LIVING / BEST OF HUNTSVILLE | MAY 2024 19
Code of Honor
Story by Brenda Poe
Corby McKenzie was a man who touched the hearts of many in Huntsville , Walker County and beyond . He is also The Huntsville Item ’ s 2024 Readers Choice Honorary Firefighter of the Year
Born in Florida , Corby lived a hard life until the age of 10 . A life-changing domestic situation occurred and he became a ward of the state until his 18th birthday . Those formative young years were spent at a boys home in Arizona . Even though the reason he was a ward was because of a man still in prison today , Corby found forgiveness in his heart to forgive him , in ways most people could not .
“ He said that being in the home was the best thing that ever happened to him ,” said his wife , Vicki McKenzie .
Even though the childhood trauma had its effects , Corby was always a protector .
“ He stood in the back looking at the crowd , making sure everyone was safe ,” Vicki said , smiling at the memory of her late husband .
But even as the smile comes , it fades .
“ I told a friend that it is going to be so weird to go to Mardi Gras because I have always had Corby at my back . That is the person he was ,” Vicki said . “ I never even considered being worried about anything bad happening .”
Vicki said that even as old friends came to say their farewells , there were old friends that told stories of how Corby protected them . And that was who Corby was when he moved to Texas and accepted a job as a Security Officer at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands since 2007 .
“ Everyone told me the same story , Corby always stood up for the underdog , because he was that kid growing up ,” Vicki said . “ When he heard
about volunteering at Magnolia he knew that was what he wanted to do .”
Even the Captain in Magnolia confirmed that Corby was always the protector and a pay it forward kinda guy . If he learned something , he wanted to teach it to everyone else .
Corby ’ s passion for service ignited when he began volunteering with the Magnolia Fire Department in 2013 . His dedication led him to be commissioned at Texas A & M Engineering Extension Service and he commenced his career with the South Montgomery County Fire Department in 2015 .
Corby exemplified courage , selflessness , strength , and compassion in all aspects of his life . He saved lives and touched hearts every day .
“ When he got diagnosed ,” Vicki said with tears in her eyes , “ he told the doctor he would do anything as long as he could get him to his daughter ’ s graduation in May .”
Vicki said the doctor worked hard trying different treatments to battle the cancer . He would ask Corby if he was willing to try another course of medications . Corby would always say , “ whatever gets me to graduation doc .”
Again with a smile , Vicki spoke highly of Corby saying he was a very involved dad that knew every grade his kids had and each relationship was great .
Vicki has been in Coltin ’ s life from the age of 3 and was Corby ’ s youngest .
“ Coltin being around hasn ’ t changed since the passing of his dad . He has stayed with me several times a week since , Vicki said . “ That relationship is amazing .” Corby was such a people person . “ If Corby called you friend or he gave you the time of day , then I knew you were a good person . He always told me Vicki you love everyone and he loved that about me ,” Vicki said .
“ He was not a fake person . He was as true as he could be . He always kept his friends on their toes , with his wit and humor ,” she said . “ If I was having a rough day , he was my calm in the storm . He was positive .”
And why not be positive in a life that he had experienced with so much negativity as a young boy .
“ He grew really close to his faith and found a true desire to grow when we moved to Huntsville . More so when we were part of the opening of the Ark Church ,” said Vicki , with another smile creeping across her face . “ He served as security at church and that is where God showed through so much .”
It was when he received his diagnosis , she said that Corby wasn ’ t as strong in his faith because the fellowship was lost due to everything shutting down for COVID , including church .
“ As church began to reopen , Corby
HUNTSVILLE LIVING / BEST OF HUNTSVILLE | MAY 2024 19