Randy Cline

1955 - 2024

Randy Cline

Randy Cline, 68, passed away peacefully in his family home, Wednesday, Sept 25, 2024 after a short illness. Born Randall Stephan Cline on Oct 21, 1955, to Glenn Cline and Eva Lee (Harris) Cline in Lindsay, CA, Randy was a lifelong Porterville resident aside from a brief time at CSU Fresno where he graduated with a BA in Business Administration. Upon returning to Porterville, he earned a Real Estate Broker license and joined his fathers real estate firm.

Randys first passion was trains and in his youth he dreamed of becoming a railroad engineer. As an adult, he indulged his love of trains traveling across the Western US to ride short line rails and collect railroadiana.

Randys other passion was helping others. He joined the Porterville Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 1980, was hired as a full-time firefighter in 1982 and worked his way up the ranks to Captain in 1999, a position he held until retiring in 2017. He also volunteered as a Porterville Police Department reserve officer and as a reserve deputy for the Tulare County Sheriffs office. On days off, he worked as a substitute teacher for Porterville Unified School District, and chaperoned several Porterville Panther Band trips around the US. He enjoyed cheering on boys and girls Panther teams in basketball, football, and occasionally other sports.

Randy was loved by his friends and family for his quirks and kindness. He took care of his parents in their final years, as well as his Aunt Frances Dobney. His morning routine consisted of picking oranges from the orchard behind his house and squeezing fresh juice served with toast to his mom. He was a patient and gentle caregiver. He rescued every stray cat that wandered onto his property: feeding, grooming, spaying and neutering, providing medical care, and when the time came, burying them under the California Pepper Tree in the backyard. They repaid his kindness by keeping the house and garden rodent free and providing endless hours of entertainment. His big heart embraced a menagerie of dogs through the years, and eventually chickens.

His life reached its full measure of joy with the birth of his son, Stevie Lee. With his wife, Sheila, stepson Paden, and Stevie Lee, his days revolved around home, kids, and family activities. He built an elaborate tree house for Paden with a raised walkway floating above the orchard. Stevie Lees Jungle includes a trail through palm trees and shrubs where wildlife takes refuge. As an older father, he wanted to savor every moment possible while the children were young and took early retirement. He loved introducing the boys to railroadiana, nature and travel, and he marveled at their unique personalities and talents.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, all his aunts and uncles, his cousins Linda Berra, Delores Iness, Sim Iness and Joey Iness. He is survived by his ex-wife Sheila Cline, stepson Paden Ziegler, his beloved son Stevie Lee; his cousins Dan Iness, Albert Berra, Bert Berra, Tony Berra, Sally Berra, Jeff Harris, David Harris, their spouses and children; and his Firefighter brethren, Police brethren, Sheriff brethren and the good people of Porterville, the only place he ever considered spending his life because it was home.

Randys family would like to express their gratitude to Guillermo, his steady friend in the garden, and to the caregivers who enabled him to spend his final years in peace and comfort in his family home. Theyd also like to thank the caring, professional hospice nurses who ensured a pain free transition. A special thank you is reserved for the St. Annes community for their unwavering kindness and love for Stevie Lee, and their prayers which lifted Randys spirit. And to all who called, visited, brought food, took him on outings, and made him laugh, Randy felt your love.

Visitation will be held at Myers Chapel in Porterville, California on October 1, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Graveside Service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM, followed by a private reception to be announced at the service.

To share a memory, or express condolences to the family, please visit the obituaries section of our website at www.myersfuneral.com/obituaries. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.