At a young age, Randy fell in love with all things mechanical. As a teenager, he rebuilt car engines and built his first car from scrap parts. In 1951, at age 20, he enlisted in the Air Force to serve his country by applying his mechanical aptitude to airplane engines. He spent most of the next four years in Europe, flying training and cargo missions in Germany, Austria, France, and Norway. He had a chance to fly on and work on many of the multi-engine warplanes of the era.
Upon Randy's return home in 1955, Doris and Randy were married and began their life together as a military family. For the next 22 years, they raised their children and Doris kept the home fires burning as Randy was called to various duty assignments around the world, including a yearlong stint in Thailand at the height of the Vietnam War. During most of that time, Randy worked as crew chief, supervising crews of mechanics to keep a squadron of C-130 transport planes flying. He retired from the Air Force in 1977.
Randy's military background, discipline, and dependability led to his second career, as head of security for Georgia Bonded Fibers in Buena Vista. He fully retired in 1996 and he and Doris enjoyed years of happiness and family time before her illness progressed. More often than not, Randy's fun time was spent on the back of his trusty Gold Wing motorcycle. He and Doris took many trips together when she was physically able. One of his true passions, he only stopped riding a few months ago when his strength began to wane.
Randy was a man of sincere devotion yet quiet strength. He cared deeply for God, his family, his country, and his friends, though always in an unassuming and down-to-earth manner. Anyone who knew him would speak of what a good man he was. He lived a life of kindness, integrity, and honor.
Randy was a longtime member of Glasgow Baptist Church. The family would like to express our immense gratitude for all the Church did for him in the weeks and months preceding his death. Their services and friendships helped sustain him during mom's lengthy illness and the lonely times after she passed. The prayers, cards, gifts, and weekly visits meant the world to dad and all of us.
A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at Harrison Funeral Home in Lexington, with the Reverend William Thomas and the Reverend Jeremy Kilgore officiating. Interment will follow at Glasgow Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, June 18, 2012, at Harrison Funeral Home.
Published in Roanoke Times on June 17, 2012
At a young age, Randy fell in love with all things mechanical. As a teenager, he rebuilt car engines and built his first car from scrap parts. In 1951, at age 20, he enlisted in the Air Force to serve his country by applying his mechanical aptitude to airplane engines. He spent most of the next four years in Europe, flying training and cargo missions in Germany, Austria, France, and Norway. He had a chance to fly on and work on many of the multi-engine warplanes of the era.
Upon Randy's return home in 1955, Doris and Randy were married and began their life together as a military family. For the next 22 years, they raised their children and Doris kept the home fires burning as Randy was called to various duty assignments around the world, including a yearlong stint in Thailand at the height of the Vietnam War. During most of that time, Randy worked as crew chief, supervising crews of mechanics to keep a squadron of C-130 transport planes flying. He retired from the Air Force in 1977.
Randy's military background, discipline, and dependability led to his second career, as head of security for Georgia Bonded Fibers in Buena Vista. He fully retired in 1996 and he and Doris enjoyed years of happiness and family time before her illness progressed. More often than not, Randy's fun time was spent on the back of his trusty Gold Wing motorcycle. He and Doris took many trips together when she was physically able. One of his true passions, he only stopped riding a few months ago when his strength began to wane.
Randy was a man of sincere devotion yet quiet strength. He cared deeply for God, his family, his country, and his friends, though always in an unassuming and down-to-earth manner. Anyone who knew him would speak of what a good man he was. He lived a life of kindness, integrity, and honor.
Randy was a longtime member of Glasgow Baptist Church. The family would like to express our immense gratitude for all the Church did for him in the weeks and months preceding his death. Their services and friendships helped sustain him during mom's lengthy illness and the lonely times after she passed. The prayers, cards, gifts, and weekly visits meant the world to dad and all of us.
A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at Harrison Funeral Home in Lexington, with the Reverend William Thomas and the Reverend Jeremy Kilgore officiating. Interment will follow at Glasgow Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, June 18, 2012, at Harrison Funeral Home.
Published in Roanoke Times on June 17, 2012
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