Randal Alan McPherson of Havre, 56, “a knower of things” died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, from injuries received in a plane crash near Burlington, Wash.
His memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Jude’s Parish Center with Tim Maroney officiating. A fellowship luncheon will be held immediately after the service, also at the St. Jude Parish Center. Randy was born Aug. 7, 1951, in Billings. He was raised on his family farm at Intake. He graduated from Dawson County High School in 1969. In 1977, Randy married Karen Hunter and they had a daughter, Jessica. They divorced in 1979. On Sept. 26, 1981, he married Marie Casey and the two spent the next 26 years raising their four daughters and spoiling their four grandchildren. Throughout his life Randy supported his family by farming and ranching, working as a heavy equipment operator, being a vehicle, boat and RV salesman, and working as an independent landman. Randy found numerous ways to enjoy life: gardening, walking, going to baseball games, hiking, finding and perfecting walking sticks, fishing and camping. He was an excellent chef, an avid reader, an experienced traveler and appreciated spending time with a good animal. Sitting on his patio listening to public radio with his wife and a glass of red wine was one of his favorite pastimes. Randy was passionate about his state of Montana and where each drop of rain would go. Some of his favorite Montana places included any waterfall he could find, his fishing hole and cabin in McLeod, the Bear Paw Mountains, the rower’s seat on a raft, the front row of a concert, and any gym where his girls were playing ball. His most cherished time was sharing his interests with his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be remembered for the lessons he taught as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, and the unconditional love he shared with so many. Randy was preceded in death by his mother, Jeanne McPherson, and grandparents, Tom and Pearl McPherson and Frank and Laura Fulton. He survived by his wife, Marie McPherson; daughters, Jessica (Kent) Clinger of Orem, Utah, Jana (Josh) Nordboe of Chinook, Jayla McPherson (Andrew Sakalis) of Havre, and Jeanna McPherson of Missoula; his father, Jerry McPherson of Salt Lake City; brothers, Bob McPherson of Big Timber, Dale McPherson of St. Paul, Minn., Gary McPherson of Sidney, and Ronnie McPherson of Forsyth; four grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends. Memorial contributions in Randy’s honor may be made to the Havre Public Schools Education Foundation or to the donor’s choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
