Gene Carroll
I have known Randy since August of 1974 when we both signed on as new employees at the Union Pacific Rail Road "Car Shop" on Swan Island .
I will never forget all of the support he gave me thru a painful divorce I struggled thru involving my two very young daughters in 1977.
Following those years, and much later in life, Randy became very influential in my battle with Lung Cancer and shared many recipies and non medical options to traditional medical cures such as Chemo and Radiation... I tried many some of those but in the end am enjoying an extension of life trhough a new Immino therapy being made availble thru the VA in Portland's VA hospital.
During much of my lifetime I have many times looked forward to my trips out to Chapman to sit and discuss issues and often argue a bit pf politics with Randy. We both quite often saw political issues differently, finally comming to the realization that they best remained off of the table and out of our conversations. Through out all of that, Randy and I remained friends... one I always felt happy to shae stories with.
He loved his family deeply which you soon discovered when talking with him. I remember him loosing his dad years back and the loss he felt and shared with me somewhat as he re-lived their passed shared hunts for both deer and elk, the loads of firewood he often described that he, his dad, and brothers cut and sold in Portland.
Randy felt and shared the Great Pride felt in the beautiful pieces of leather work his dad created in his Saddle Shop. My family still ownes and enjoys a Saddle Randy's dad rebuilt for us.
He often told me of his dad's continual displeasure with his growing Ford car and pick up collection at the family home site.
Randy kind of shook that off as a dog does rain water with a smile on his face.
Randy was IMO, truely a One Of a Kind and a person whom I will go on thinking of and remembering with warrness in my chest.
In conversation with my wife and other family members, I, as a person with very few good friends throughout my life always reverred Randy as perhaps the Best of Them.
I loved Randy and will miss him deeply... My heart goes out to his Family... Call me if there is anything I can do.
Gene Carroll
