Randall Ray Morrison

Randy Morrison passed away peacefully on March 8, 2024. He was 67 years old.

Randy was born in Belleville, Illinois in 1956. His career focused on social services dedicated to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease. ​​In this capacity, he designed the first Dementia Care Center for nursing home facilities in the St. Louis region.

However, his energies in life were dedicated to many hobbies and to family, his greatest joy, especially his daughter Kate and her two children. Other pursuits included cooking, antiquing, interior design, and gardening. He loved all styles of music, especially R&B. He was often the first to fall in love with a new artist before they hit big.

He moved the family to Colorado in his late 30’s to explore the mountains and enjoy hiking adventures. Their time in Colorado then went to the plains, where they lived on 40 acres with horses, chickens, and a massive garden. 

Family commitments brought the family back to Illinois, where Randy cheered his daughter Kate on through graduate school. Beyond his family, the pugs Bogie, Bacall, and Coco, were his favorites. They passed away in recent years, after 16+ years each of cuddles, treats, and snorts.

After a major stroke in April 2016, Randy made incredible recovery through months of intensive rehabilitation. Carol, his wife, took great care of him during each of these years, often sacrificing her own wellbeing, as so many caregivers do. His physical struggles taught his granddaughter great empathy for those with limited abilities; she will often point out a curb ramp for wheelchairs as “something to help Grandpa Randy!”

He was an ardent, traditional Democrat who loved Rachel Maddow and hated Donald Trump. Waking after his stroke but with his eyes still closed and CNN in the background, he recognized a voice and said, “Lying Ted Cruz!” .. and we knew he was okay. 

In 2021, Carol retired and they moved to Washington to be closer to their daughter and her family. In Lacey at the Ovation at Oak Tree, Carol has found new friends and family.

Although flawed and often too quick to push others away, Randy will be remembered for the fierce love he had for his daughter and for his belief in her ability to change the world. Above all else, he taught his daughter to love and be loved.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol, and his daughter, Catherine (Kate), her husband Andrew, along with two grandchildren, Eleanor and Arthur. His mother and siblings survive him, as well as his son Michael, from a prior marriage. Randy is preceded in death by his father, plus his favorite grandmother, Catherine, for whom he named his daughter, and his favorite grandfather, Emil, for whom his granddaughter is named.

May Randy’s legacy be to inspire you to heal your own personal demons and to fight for those you love. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite Democratic candidate or Joe Biden’s campaign. A memorial will be held at a later date.

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