DAVID EUGENE MCKECHNIE

     David Eugene McKechnie, 87, of Henderson, Kentucky, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026. He was born on December 18, 1938, in Monticello, Kentucky, to the late John David McKechnie and Virginia McKechnie Grills.

     On November 28, 1963, David married Sarah Betty Broaddus. They shared nearly 51 years together until her passing in November 2014.

     David served in the National Guard and went on to work as the farm manager at Reynolds Metals. He also served his community as a member of the school board. He was a devoted member of First Christian Church in Henderson, where he served as an elder for 57 years.

     David had such a gentle way about him that people seemed to like him from the moment they met him. He never met a stranger. And if you were waiting for him, you could count on one thing: he would be the last one to show up just about anywhere! He loved doing kind things for people just because. One of his favorite traditions was making Chex mix at Christmas to hand out to everyone, and no one will forget his number one specialty, his famous sausage balls.

     David was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Sarah; his daughter, Janet Marie McKechnie of Nicholasville, Kentucky; his brother, Robert “Jerry” McKechnie; and his sister, Caroline McBrayer Hatfield of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

     He is survived by his brother, Arthur K. (Martha) McKechnie of Chattanooga, Tennessee; his son, Jamie McKechnie of Philpot, Kentucky; his daughters, Mary E. (Dennis) Box and Virginia F. McKechnie-Long, both of Henderson; his grandsons, David H. Box and John T. (CeCe) Gass, both of Henderson; his granddaughter, Sarah Beth Gass of Henderson; his great-grandsons, Jordan Box and Andrew Clayton-Thomas Crouch, both of Henderson; and his great-granddaughters, Gemmason Marie Crouch and Zayda Elizabeth-Gail Gass, both of Henderson.

     Visitation will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home, with a service to follow immediately after. There will be no graveside service.

     In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Anthony’s Hospice in Henderson or South Heights Elementary School Resource Fund.

                                    “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

     Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.