Alma Ruth McKenzie

Alma Ruth McKenzie, 96, of Amarillo passed away on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Viewing will be from 10am - 8pm, Thursday, May 29th, 2025, at Boxwell Brotgers Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 30th at 2:00 pm at The Craig, located at 5500 SW 9th Ave. in the chapel. Interment will be private in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Alma was born on April 7, 1929, in Amarillo, TX to William Frederick Lampe and Vera Irene Neathery. She graduated from Amarillo High School in 1947 and studied piano at The Musical Arts Conservatory of West Texas. She received a scholarship to continue her studies in piano at North Texas State University in Denton, TX, studying under the department head of Silvio Sconti, where she had the opportunity to become a concert pianist but then met the love of her life, James R. McKenzie, and that changed everything. Jim and Alma were married on September 2, 1949 in a fabulous double ceremony with her brother William Lampe and her sister in law Jimma Drake. They were the talk of the town having one of the most extravagant events of the year. After completing their college education, Jim and Alma moved to Galveston, TX where Alma worked for a governmental agency. They then decided to move to Amarillo and made that their home where she was an entrepreneur in her own right, helping Jim in all of his many ventures, but her most important role was as a homemaker, always taking care of Jim and their two daughters. Alma spent her last few years at the Craig where she made many friends and memories with the residents there. She was well known and loved by many.

Alma is preceded in death by her husband, James R. McKenzie; and her brother, William Neathery Lampe.

Survivors include her two daughters, Laura Duncan of Guadalajra, MX and Patti Jones and husband Lendal Jones, of Amarillo, TX; four grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mom, a grandmother, an aunt and a friend to many.

A very special thank you to the Craig for providing a kind and loving place to spend her last few years. Thank you also to the Hospice Unit at Baptist St. Anthony’s for taking care of her in her last days here on earth with the utmost love, kindness and respect.

The family suggests memorials to the Hospice Unit at Baptist St. Anthony’s, 1600 Wallace Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79106.