BOMBER MEMORIAL

RANDOL M. "RANDY" FREE ~ Class of 1961
December 3, 1942 - August 10, 2011





RandY, 68, of Richland, WA, passed away peacefully and 'At Ease' at Sheffield Manor in Prosser, WA, on August 10, 2011. His long-time friend Suzanne COWAN ('71), Demiff, CA, was at his side. He was born December 3, 1942, in Wilsonville, AL, the second son of Clarence Free and Juanita Free McElveny.

Randy arrived in Richland in 1943 when his father took a job with DuPont in support of the Hanford Engineering Works Project. Randy graduated from Columbia High School in 1961. He played three years of varsity basketball for the Bombers, as well two years at Columbia Basin College. Randy joined the Marine Corps in 1964 serving as an Admiral's Aide for three years aboard Aircraft Carriers in Vietnam and the Philippines. Upon discharge from the Marines, Randy returned to school at San Diego City College, majoring in business administration. His love for travel and adventure soon took him to the far reaches of Alaska, where he worked dam construction as a powder monkey and high scalar. He also traveled to South America and Mexico as a commodity exchange agent. In 1978 with Randy's vision of the future, and with the help of some close friends, he designed and built one of the first skate board parks in the state of Washington on Clearwater Ave. in the Kennewick Highlands. He remained active and highly mobile as a freelance construction worker until losing his recent battle with heart disease and lung cancer.

Randy is survived by his mother Juanita McElevny, Richland; daughter Tracy Fenney (Steve), and granddaughters Brittany, Bailey, Hannah and Chloe Fenney, Phoenix, AZ; son David Free (Lynda) Scottsdale, AZ; brother Ken Free ('59) (Judy Powell ('61)) Auburn, WA; brother Jerry Free ('62) (Janet) Vancouver, WA; former wife Diane Blair (Ron).

He was preceded in death by his father Clarence C. Free.

Randy's family wants to sincerely thank and give special recognition to the very loving and caring staff at Sheffield Manor and the living angels of Lower Yakima Valley Hospice of Sunnyside, WA. Randy's compassion for people, especially those in need, and his love for dogs, especially those in need of rescue, is legendary. He made life long friends wherever he travelled and will be missed by all who knew him well.

A memorial service in his honor will be held at the Richland Community Center on Saturday, September 10th at 4:45pm.

Published in Tri-City Herald on August 28, 2011