Randy Allen Brown went home to be with his Lord and Savior after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer on May 11, 2025, at the age of 69. Randy was born on December 14, 1955, in Joplin, MO, to Howard and Shirley (Long) Brown.
After school, Randy worked for—and eventually managed—his grandparents’ business, The Chandelier Shop. Following the shop’s closure, he continued working in lighting and electrical sales for many years. Later in life, he served in various capacities for the Joplin School District.
Randy was a simple and quiet man who valued a slower pace of life and took great pleasure in being surrounded by God’s creation. He instilled in his family a love for the outdoors. He enjoyed deer hunting and spent his life visiting Roaring River to trout fish and camp with his family. As a young man, Randy enjoyed riding and racing dirt bikes with his cousin Mike and spending time at his grandparents’ cabin on Grand Lake. It was during a camping trip at Roaring River, with his cousins, that he was introduced to the young woman who would soon become the love of his life.
Randy is remembered by all who knew him as a kind, gentle, compassionate, and tender-hearted man. He loved his family and friends deeply. It wouldn’t take long for friends of his kids and grandkids to become like his own; many quickly called him “Papa” or “Pepaw,” and he loved including them in his circle.
At a young age, Randy accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. His faith remained deep and unwavering through all of life’s highs and lows. He shared that faith with family, friends, and even strangers—through his words and through acts of service. He was often seen loading up his lawnmower to mow the yard of a church member or a neighbor. He was always quick to respond to the needs of others in any way he could.
In 2018, he and Susan were able to purchase their forest. This land brought Randy immense joy—whether riding his John Deere tractor, trimming trees, or simply sitting on the porch watching the deer.
Randy loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events. There wasn’t a game or performance he would miss if he could help it. Randy and Susan loved opening their home to any and all who would come to visit.
In Randy’s Bible, there isn’t much writing or highlighting—except for one verse, which was circled and truly became the motto of his life: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Randy’s treasure was his family.
On December 9, 1978, Randy was united in marriage to his one and only love, Susan. They were blessed with 47 years of marriage. From this union, his legacy continues in his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; his father, Howard Brown, and stepmother, Ronda; his children, Derrick Brown and his wife Somer, Amanda Rich and her husband Brad, and Zachary Brown and his wife Amanda; and eight grandchildren: Cheyane and her husband Hunter, Roper, Lily, Cooper, Charlee, Wesson, Barrett, and Mary Jayne. He is also survived by a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Brown; his grandparents, Austin and Vivian Long, Edith Stokes, and Jess and Bernice Day.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ’s Church of Oronogo (22145 Kafir Rd., Oronogo, MO). In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to the Right Here, Right Now ministry at Christ’s Church of Oronogo in his memory. Randy’s enduring generosity was exemplified through the donation of his eyes, which provided the gift of sight to two people after his passing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory, Joplin, MO.