Obituary for Randy Joe Anderson
Randy was born on July 26, 1963, in Sioux City, Iowa to Dale Gillis and Ruth Elaine (Gross) Anderson. He was raised in South Sioux City, Nebraska, where he finished his education and discovered his passion for repairing engines before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Randy served with distinction in the Air Force for ten years before transitioning to the Air Force Reserves. Throughout his career, he earned numerous awards and commendations, reflecting his commitment to quality and exceptional service. His roles included being an aerospace propulsion technician, and being deployed in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his time with the United States Air Force, Randy would take other side jobs to help support his family. During his time as a Line Cook at Perkins in Grand Forks, North Dakota, he met a new waitress and, with his charm, asked her out on a date. This encounter led to a beautiful love story that reached its peak on October 28th, 1989, at Atonement Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where Randy tied the knot with Julie Lynn Ziehl, the waitress who would later become his soulmate. Throughout their marriage, he continued to show off his exceptional culinary skills that he honed at Perkins, especially his delicious omelets and steaks. Even though Randy tried to project a tough image, his generosity, kindness, and warmth was evident to everyone he encountered. He was always prepared to offer a helping hand or welcome family and friends into his home when they needed it. He cherished his family deeply, frequently sharing stories about them with his friends. Each tale he recounted was filled with warmth and affection, painting vivid pictures of cherished moments and shared laughter. He also made it a point to never lose contact with his friends and family, ensuring he checked in regularly with people from various stages of his life. Randy was a renowned expert in aviation maintenance. During his time in civil service, he became known for his attention to detail during aircraft inspections with Quality Assurance (QA). Due to this reputation, he decided to hit the road and founded Anderson Aircraft Repair, LLC, a traveling repair service for airplanes. Randy retired from Civil Service in 2023. Due to the extensive growth of the business, Randy moved the business to the Hangar at Scott Airport in Mangum, Oklahoma. His clients traveled from various parts of the country to experience his exceptional craftsmanship.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, James Ziehl. He is survived by his beloved wife, Julie Lynn Anderson, and three daughters, Ruth Jones and her husband, Tim, Jamie Wroge and her husband, Steven, and Reanna Workman and her husband, Garrett. He also leaves behind his siblings, Carla Behm and her husband, Marty, Michael Murray, Diana Johnston, and Tracy Athan; and his mother-in-law, Diane Ziehl. His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren, Riley Grace and Anderson Jacob (A.J.) Jones, Betty Lynn and Randy Dale Wroge, and numerous extended family members, nieces, nephews, friends, coworkers, and loyal customers.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Monday, August 5, 2024, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Margaret Van Oostrum officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Altus City Cemetery under the care of the Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory.
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Previous Events
Viewing
Monday
5
Aug
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Tuesday
6
Aug
2:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
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