Randy Wayne Myers

1949 - 2020

Randy Wayne Myers, 71, of Centralia, MO, passed away at 11:22 PM Friday, December 11, 2020, at the VA Hospital in Columbia, MO, from Agent Orange related cancer and the devasting effects of Covid-19.
Because of Randy's large extended family, many friends, and veterans near and far, a much-deserved public celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Randy was born on February 8, 1949, on his grandmother's couch outside of Centralia, MO. His parents were Charles E. Myers and Margaret Lucille Jennings Myers. The family moved to Sturgeon, MO, where Randy attended grade school and made many life-long friends. When he was in the 7th grade, his family moved to Centralia when his father bought a gas station on Hwy 22. Randy worked along-side his father while he was in school, changing oil and tires and entertaining the many farmers and friends who traded there. Randy attended Centralia High School, the class of 1967.
In 1969, Randy joined the Army; a soldier in the 2nd Battalion, 94th Artillery. Randy served two tours of duty in Viet Nam, fighting from fire bases carved in the mountains, running coordinates from the gunner seat of an eight-inch howitzer called "Come Together". Randy rarely talked about Viet Nam, still, he had buddies who never made it home and Randy would always and forever say their names.
In 1971, Randy left Viet Nam on a medivac helicopter to Germany, and finally to the hospital base at Ft. Leonard Wood. The world was a different place when Randy came home from the war. On the ride back to Missouri, Randy changed out of his uniform in a Greyhound bus bathroom because of the insults thrown his way. Back then, there was no welcome home for Randy, no "job well done" or "thank you for your service." As a result, Randy spent the rest of his life approaching strangers with military license plates or men with military hats, thanking them for their service. He paid anonymously for meals or coffee for veterans, once stopping at a roadside restaurant and buying meals for a bus load of new soldiers on their way to basic training, standing at the door and thanking each one as they walked in.
Randy retired as a track inspector for Norfolk and Southern Railroad, where he rode the rails from Moberly to Wentzville and Centralia to Columbia. Randy worked with people from all over the country, many of them remaining life-long friends.
When Randy was finally discharged, he let his hair grow to his shoulders as a way to prove to himself that he was really home. Through a mutual friend, he was introduced to a young high school girl who was attracted to that long hair. Randy had been around the world and back when he met his future wife, Lorry Sewell. They were married in Centralia, Mo, August 24, 1974, and spent the next 46 years laughing with good friends, raising good children, listening to good music and supporting good causes.
They had a very good life.
The couple bought a rambling two story house in Centralia and carried three babies through the door. Randy was a hands-on Dad who coached and carpooled and chaperoned his children and so many others. Randy was an easy-going guy who connected with kids, and soon, his house was full of them. He cheered these young people from the bleachers, sat in countless folding chairs and enriched the lives of so many. Over the years he was invited to the weddings and graduations of the many young people that he had impacted through his caring ways.
Through his employment, Randy had many opportunities to transfer to other locations but always insisted he already lived in the best place on earth. He loved his community and gave back in small ways that made a big difference. He served on the Centralia Park Board for ten years and volunteered in the park system for over twenty years. In the summer, he repaired park benches, painted basketball courts, cleaned the swimming pool and spent hours on a mower. The student maintenance workers, life guards and summer employees could always count on Randy and later in life, Randy could count on them.
Randy was a proud member of the Centralia VFW and a generous donator to their causes. He never missed voting in an election and believed deeply in the country and people he fought for.
Randy was known by many through his wife's articles in local newspapers and magazines. Lorry writes about his love and his life and the lessons he always tried, unsuccessfully, to teach her. People would stop him on the street and in the grocery store and ask him how he felt about being a topic of his wife's articles. Randy in his good-natured way would simply smile and reply, "Look what she doesn't tell about me."
Randy was known for many things and loving his wife was one of those. Together, they were concert goers and traveled the backroads and small towns of life, stopping at the beauty they found. Lorry's causes, were his causes and where she went, he went. Anyone who knew them, or saw them together quickly realized that they had something very special. Randy loved the Blues and the other woman in his life, Loretta Lynn, and cranked that music up, often wondering aloud what the neighbors thought.
Randy was proud of his children and the adults they grew to be. He raised them to be free thinkers who have good work ethics and spent their lifetimes teaching them to be kind, caring and responsible. His children called him about broken down cars, and busted plumbing and what to do when they didn't know what to do. When he became a grandfather, the world changed for him and in March, Randy will have a new grandson who will be named after him.
Randy leaves behind his loving wife, Lorry, and heartbroken children; Taylor, from Memphis, Tennessee, Hilary Filimonuk and husband Greg, Gardner, Kansas, and Mariah Littrell and husband Tanner, Olathe, Kansas. Grandchildren, Ivan Filimonuk and Via Littrell who love and long for their Pops. His siblings, Diana Lazenby and husband Van, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Brothers Rick Myers, Centralia, MO and Roger Myers, Farmville, West Virginia, his mother-in law, Bette Sewell, Mexico Mo, and a special niece, Melissa Myers Sampo, who Randy and Lorry took in and helped raise.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents, step-brothers Bobby and Ronnie Harlow, and father-in-law, Walter Sewell.
Randy was not wealthy, or affluent or famous. Still, a man like this is rare and rarely forgotten. His smile will be missed by the community he served, the veterans he supported and generations of children whose life he touched with his acts of kindness and caring ways. Randy was a good and decent man who made a difference in the place he lived and the people he loved. He was proud of his wife, his children, his friends, his community and his country.
So very proud.
Donations in Randy's honor can be made to the Centralia VFW, Post 6276, % Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home, 104 S. Collier St Centralia Mo, 65240.
His family would like you to know that these are the days you can't get back. So, honor your partner, teach your children and give back to the community you love. Put down your phone and love hard, be kind, be caring, be gracious and good and know that in the end, this is what truly defines a life.
Online Condolences may be left at www.fentonkendrickfh.com