of Fayetteville, NC
November 18, 1984 - April 6, 2016
McKenzie Meeks Stave, 31, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
He was born on November 18, 1984 in Memphis, Tennessee, and was the son of Craig and Patricia (Wylie) Stave.
He graduated from Batesville High School in 2003. He played football, baseball, and ran track for the Pioneers. McKenzie loved SEC football and the Carolina Panthers, but his true love was his children. There was never a dull moment with McKenzie and his fun-loving personality. He greeted everyone with a big smile and a big hug.
He was Sgt. First Class of the Alpha Company, Fifth Battalion, Special Warfare Training Group in the U. S. Army. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan where he received the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, eight Army Achievement Medals, a Combat Action Badge, Master Parachute Badge, and Jump Master of the Year in 2008. He was airborne and jump master qualified, master driver trainer, and qualified instructor.
He is survived by his parents, Craig and Patricia Wylie Stave of Batesville, Arkansas; a son, Eli Stave and a daughter, Ila Stave, both of Rayford, North Carolina; a son, Robert Badgley of Fayetteville, North Carolina; a sister, Madison Stave of Batesville; and a maternal grandmother, Lequita Wylie of Lexington, Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Robert Wylie; paternal grandparents, Donald and Geraldine Stave.
Funeral services with full military honors will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Fellowship Bible Church in Batesville with Lucas Hattenberger officiating.
Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the church prior to the funeral service.
Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at Sweetlips Cemetery in Henderson, TN under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville, Arkansas.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas for the Fallen, 109 Martha Jean Lane, Beebe, AR 72012 and The Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850.
Sgt Stave was the primary reason I made it through ait at fort bragg. I looked up to him like the big brother I never had. I did not know him long but the months that I spent with him I learned not just how to be a solider but how to deal with turmoil and emotions. Sgt Stave will always have a special place in my heart for all that he did for me.
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers for McKenzie and his family. May God be with you and yours through this toughest time.
SFC Stave,
It was on honor to be in detachment 5A20 in class 001-16 under your direction. I send my best to all of the cadre and his friends and family.
What a tragedy, sending Deepest sympathy for your family. Hang on to the memories.
Its such a cliche to say the good die young, but it seems so true. My condolences to Your family and loved ones. You were an amazing instructor. I only knew you for my time in training, and I appreciate every lesson learned. Thank You and bless Your Soul
It saddens me to see his life cut short in his prime. I am sorry for everyone's loss. He is with God now.
I care for both of you and your daughter. Please know I understand what you are going through and I am praying for you. I know McKenzie will be missed.
Love, Carol
Our family was heartbroken to hear of your loss. I pray for comfort for each of you as you face each day without McKenzie. His beautiful smile and spirit will be missed.
My deepest condolences to the family. I was SFC State's Detachment sergeant wile he was in Afghanistan. It deeply saddens me to see his young life cut short. If you need anything feel free to contact me.
I did not know SFC Stave...my husband worked with him, and spoke of him almost daily. The death of SFC Stave has really given me a heavy heart. Im so very sorry to everyone close to him that loved him, especially his parents. The military really is a "brother"hood and the love that soldiers have for eachother is one of the strongest bonds known to mankind. Rest in peace SFC. Your brothers will take over from here.
To my coaches,
Words cannot express how tragic your loss is. Both of you and your family will be in my prayers as you go through this difficult time. I pray that y'all are able to find peace and y'all never forget all the great memories that McKenzie blessed you with.
Sending prayers,
Miranda Scott (Randi Perkey)
Rest easy my fellow Jump Master, my brother! Until we meet again. You'll be missed
Rest in peace Jumpmaster
I am so very sorry for your loss, I pray that you are surrounded by friends and loved ones during this terrible tragedy. RIP Jumpmaster.
RIP Brother. We shall meet again.
Man I am gonna miss you buddy. I still can see you walking into harley when I worked there too buy your first harley. You definitely are gonna be missed!!!!
We were so sad to hear of McKenzie's passing. It seems shortly ago that he was just a little boy..... Our hearts break for your family and our prayers are with all of you.
Jill Treadway and the boys, Sawyer and Tucker,
Laura and Jordan Smith
Rest in peace Brother. .
Family and friends of McKenzie,
He was my friend and my brother. I worked with him on a daily basis. It has been hard for us here. We send our prayers during this hard time and please keep us in yours. RIP Jumpmaster Stave...
Praying for you and your family during this difficult time. McKenzie was an amazing soldier and a young man that will be missed but never forgotten. Praying that God will continue to give you the strength to overcome the pain associated with your loss.
I will always remember McKenzie"s smile. Everytime I saw him he had a smile on his face and was full of personality. .Our herarts are heavy with saddness and will always cheris the wonderful times we spent with McKenzie. I pray God fills your hearts with peace and fills your minds with abundance of memories.
Laura & Curtis Bennett
Rima"s sister
Sending heartfelt prayers to your family and friends. He always had a smile on his face whenever he would pick up Jax. I am so sorry for your loss. May God walk with you all during your time of sorrow. Gone but never forgotten. Sincerely.... Madelyn Jackson.
When my daughters and I moved to Batesville, I began subing at the Jr High. McKenzie was a great kid and I always enjoyed having hom in class. My daughter Kelli was in the same grade as McKenzie. It has been several years since I have seen him. But I always kept up with him through friends. I am truly sorry for your loss. I am sorry for the pain in your hearts. God bless you as you find peace.
Donna
His service to our country will never be forgotten. Keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers. Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. - Houston Texas Chapter
Praying for your comfort in this very difficult time. Praying for peace of heart and joy in memories. With all our Love, David & Holly Wilkerson
My heart is broken for you. Praying for you!
What a wonderful young man whom Heaven has gained! I'll always remember how much I enjoyed having McKenzie in my class...always happy and smiling. I'm sending much love and many prayers your way.. From my family to yours, we wish you peace...
Peggy Tovey
Peyton Tovey
Landon Montgomery
Chip and I want you to know how sorry we are. We will be praying for you family.
You know that our heart is broken also. So many great memories of McKenzie. He will always be in our hearts.
Rick and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Our love and prayers are with you.
Coach and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We have always loved the Stave family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mr. and Mrs. Stave, please accept my sincerest condolences for the much too early passing of McKenzie. I know that I speak for all of his other brothers and sisters in arms in expressing our love and respect for him. For myself, personally, he's one of the most genuine people I have ever known. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. I promise you that his kind and selfless spirit never went unnoticed and will never, ever be forgotten.
Everytime I saw Mckenzie, all I can think of is why is he always smiling. My condolences and prayers goes out to his family.
Coach Stave and family,
Scott and I send our thoughts and prayers to you all! May you find peace and comfort in our Heavenly Father's arms!
Praying for you all continually. I will never ever forget his beautiful smile and the way he said "Mrs. Baker". You have a whole community of support, people who will pray or do whatever you need.
Much love, Teresa Baker
Love and prayers.
Patricia, Craig and Madison,
We are so sorry to hear of Mckenzie's death. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your families loss. I will keep you all in my prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember McKenzie in school and how much he always smiled. Will be praying for you all.
McKenzie always had the sweetest smile. So sad to hear of his passing. Sending my love to Craig, Patricia and Madison and his children during his tough time. Keeping you all in my prayers.
We are praying for your family.
Coach Stave, Mrs. Stave and Madison,
We were saddened to hear of the passing of McKenzie. We are thinking and praying for each of you during this time of mourning. We pray you will find strength, comfort and peace from family, friends and our heavenly Father.
Wil, Kim and Lloyd Davis