Randall Mixon
Age - 72
November 7, 2023
Randall Ray Mixon, a devoted father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully in his home in Mason, Texas, on November 3, 2023. He was 72. Randy's unexpected death has left an unimaginable void in the hearts of everyone who loved him. His many friends and family members take comfort knowing he's reunited with so many loved ones who went before him, including his parents and sister Sally. And they feel immensely lucky that Randy lived a happy, faith-filled and purposeful life--one that resulted in two children, three adoring granddaughters, scores of close family and friends, and countless memories of Randy's hilarious jokes and hijinks, like the time his OU football-loving sister unknowingly drove around for days with a bumper sticker Randy had snuck onto her car declaring, "Proud Longhorn Football Fan for Life. " That was Randy. His crystal-blue eyes always had a twinkle of good-natured mischief. His greatest delight was getting a laugh out of others and doting on his grandchildren. Randy was born on January 24, 1951, in Victoria, Texas, to Marie and Ray Mixon. When he was three, he and his family moved to Sterling City. He had a happy childhood and showed livestock animals, enjoyed family vacations to the horse races in Ruidoso, New Mexico, played all manner of sports, did his best to terrorize and bedevil his sisters--which he often did well--and somehow managed to be the only of his siblings to successfully shirk the responsibility of working at his parents' Dairy Hut. After graduating Sterling City High School in 1969, Randy enlisted in the Army and served in Okinawa, Japan. In letters home, he wrote about the boredom and monotony of his days there. But photos suggest otherwise, with Randy and his Army buddies huddled together with beers and looking like they're having the sort of rollicking good time that perhaps wasn't fit for letters home to parents. Following the Army, Randy moved to San Angelo to attend college. While he didn't finish, he would later proudly recount how he'd get under the skin of any professor who took themselves too seriously. His children have since read his witty essays from that time and they confirm the veracity of this claim. Around this time, Randy met his future wife, Kay McCormick. One of their first dates was to a movie where he promptly fell asleep, revealing a life-long habit that--to his children's endless frustration--ensured their father's snores were part of every movie soundtrack. Randy and Kay married in 1977 and moved to Salem, Oregon in 1978. Though they were only there nine months, their time in Oregon provided Randy with conversation fodder for the rest of his life and he often talked of it fondly. His true purpose in life began on June 27, 1983, with the birth of his son, Chase, followed two years later by his daughter, Melissa. Around this same time, Randy lost his father suddenly. While he mourned him deeply, Randy committed himself to being the sort of selfless father his dad had been to him. Randy needn't ever have worried if he fulfilled that purpose--he did so in spades every day of his life. Randy was a devoted, fun, kind and generous father, one who took on more than most when his marriage ended. With two young children to raise and support, Randy made a decision in 1990 that would end up being among his very best: he and his children moved to live with his mother, Marie, in Mason. He gave his children a wonderfully happy childhood. He took them deer hunting in the same Fredonia pastures he and his father once hunted. He got them show lambs and they traveled to stock shows around the state. He attended all of their activities and generously drove them and their friends anywhere they wanted, often Fiesta Texas and the McDonald's in Brady. And he helped create a happy home that hosted the most special and raucous holidays, often going late into the night with his children watching on in amazement as Randy, his mother, sister, cousins, and great aunts and uncles from out of town gathered around the kitchen table, laughing, smoking and playing Mexican Train Dominoes. The evenings would inevitably end with a good-natured shouting match over who won the game. Randy worked during this time for GTE and then later Verizon, earning a reputation as a knowledgeable and skilled cable splicer and telephone technician and--more importantly--as a kind and decent man. While his days started in the early morning hours, Randy was always home for family suppers, after which he and his children would pile into his room and watch David Letterman (who Randy apparently respected enough not to sleep through). Randy spent 33 years with the phone company before retiring in 2012. Retirement suited Randy well. He got into gardening, enjoyed daily porch or phone visits with close friends like Bert Mahnken and Ricky McWilliams, and began working part-time surveying with his uncle Robert Owens. He chatted on the phone multiple times a day with his sister Susan, who doubled as his best friend and a source of constant laughs. Some of his favorite trips were traveling to see her in Durant, Oklahoma, where they'd sip R&R on her back patio and lose their shirts playing the slots at the casino. He often traveled to see his children with Kay, who remained a good friend for the rest of his life. Best of all, they spent time with their three grandchildren and a new generation got to behold the hilarity, silliness, and kindness of their beloved "Babo. " Randy often bucked convention. He rarely set foot in a church but was the most spiritual person his children knew, often rereading the Bible or scribbling down his favorite scriptures. He wore Wranglers and work boots every day but never missed a Rachel Maddow episode and often talked circles around his daughter on current and world events. Above all, he was caring, kind and funny to the very end. He was a bleeding heart and--much to the chagrin of his cat Jamie--Randy took in untold numbers of stray cats because he couldn't stand to see an animal suffer or do without. Randy is joined in heaven by his parents Marie and Ray Mixon, sister Sally Mixon, uncles Wayne Kuykendall and Bill Cattan, aunts Robbie Alkek, grandparents Sis and PA "E" Mixon and Elvan and Lucretia Kuykendall, and cousins Billy Ty Cattan, Pam Cattan and Kirk Owens. He's survived by his son Chase Mixon of Mason and granddaughters Mia and Millie Mixon of Brownsville; daughter Melissa Mixon, son-in-law Raam Wong and granddaughter Eliza Wong of Seattle; ex-wife Kay Mixon of Bronte, sister Susan Boyd of Durant, Oklahoma, nieces and nephews TJ Schmidt, Todd Foster, Michelle Chapman, Jennifer Davis and Jason Boyd and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who he loved dearly. Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, November 7, from 5 to 7 p. m. at Mason Funeral Home. His family misses him so much, but also knows he'd be in a fit if he knew we weren't down here smiling and finding a way to laugh. Because of this, a service celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, November 8, at 11:00 a. m. at River of Life Church in Mason. Burial will be private, family only. You can also honor Randy's memory by donating to an animal shelter of your choosing. Condolences may be sent to the family on-line at masonfuneralhome. net.Show more
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