03/22/16 - NNHS Newsletter - Allan Messick

Allan Messick
(23 Mar 1917 - 18 Mar 2016)

Newport News High School Class of February 1932

He joins his late wife, Wyneta Farr McKenzie Messick, business partner, dress designer, artist and singer in the Heart Throbs.

Messick was related to Lord Bayliss who designed and built tunnels through the mountains in Switzerland.

Before graduating from Newport News High School in 1932, his first position was delivering newspapers on his bicycle when he was twelve--the beginning of his being an astute and successful entrepreneur. In the same year, Messick entered and graduated after five years at the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, and after working on ships was promoted to the drawing room, all the while building his first of 800 homes and several apartment buildings.

When his eyesight was affected by the poor lighting, he continued building while teaching mathematics at Hampton High School; he was the Manager of the Plumbing Department at Sears, and left to go into business for himself as an electrician.

When Wyneta died, her daughter, Sandra McKenzie, ("McKenzie"), partnered with Allan as an officer of Realco Corp., designed the homes while Allan drew plans to code, and together built and sold the last twelve homes in Michael's Woods off Big Bethel Road, along with one home on Bellwood Road, all in Hampton.

Thought to be dead when he was born at home, Messick was tossed aside on a cot before eventually receiving serious attention by a midwife who heard a noise. Messick truly lived up to his God-given potential.

Never seeking attention, he took care of the three most important people in his life: Grace, his mother; Wyneta, his wife; and McKenzie, his daughter. He was the caregiver to his mother and his wife at his home when they were sick and never placed them in a nursing home. Allan Messick met his father only three times.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandra McKenzie of Hampton, Virginia, and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

McKenzie states, "Allan loved his Harley motorcycles when he was young and was an excellent photographer forever. He had a dark room at home. My father was truly a man who knew so much about many things and was humble about it. His motto, which his mother taught him was, 'Why talk when you can listen and learn what other people know.' He was the most brilliant man I knew, but more importantly, he knew Our Lord. Allan and Wyneta Messick will be remembered by placing Mother's pen and ink drawings and Allan's photographs in the Margaret Lefranc Art Foundation or by forming the Wyneta and Allan Messick Art Foundation with the intention of exhibiting their art."

Allan died in his home with McKenzie by his side.

Much gratitude is extended to his Liberty Baptist friends, in particular to Sara and Jerry Walker, Nellie Newbill, Bill Hill and his late wife, Ann Hill, Jack Trittipoe, Pastor Joe Hunt; also to Dr. Glenn Ross and his dedicated staff; Amedisys and ABC Home Health Care, FREE, Scottish Rites, Angel Wings, and Riverside Regional Medical Center Home Health Agency. Additional gratitude is given to Riverside Regional Medical Center Hospice in 2013 and 2016--especially Mary Evans, LPN; Debbie Boyd, RN and Julia Henderson, retired RN; Denise Cyrus, Dr. Michael Lustig, as well as Laura Hargrave and Tanisha Hines.

The family will receive friends Thursday, March 24, 2016 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Liberty Baptist Church, 1021 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, VA, with services starting at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Joe Hunt. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.  

Published in The Daily Press on March 22, 2016.  
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