Randall (Randy) Patrick Meyer

August 28, 1949 – February 28th, 2023

Randall (Randy) Patrick Meyer, 73, passed away February 28, 2023, from complications due to lung and brain cancer in Meridian, ID. Randy was born August 28, 1949 in Payette, ID, the first son of Art and Donna (Sprague) Meyer.  In 1952, his family moved to New Plymouth, ID when his father became manager of Van Petten Lumber.  He graduated from New Plymouth High School in 1967. Randy thoroughly enjoyed attending all grades at New Plymouth, as well as playing all sports. He attended both the University of Idaho and Boise State College.  Randy retired from Idaho Power Company in August, 2007 after a 25-year career.  He was a member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Fruitland, ID.

As a Virgo, Randy loved keeping statistics and spreadsheets, denoting many things of interest over the years. One spreadsheet listed 51 places that he had lived!  Randy was grateful for many, many things in life, but when asked what he felt his most significant blessings were, he listed (1) his life-long friend Rick Fitzsimons (1947 – 2016) arranging two interviews for him at Idaho Power, which opened the door for a long and fruitful career that also enriched his family members’ lives, (2) being blessed by the “ Grace of God ” in order to walk away from his “addictive” love of Budweiser beer in January, 1988 after 18 years of alcoholism, and (3) being able to participate in his beloved granddaughters’ lives.  When asked what advice he would give others, his response was (1) find a way, through the Grace of God , to forgive all others, and yourself, while you still have the chance, and (2) love one another and be compassionate towards all others.

Countless times over the last many years of his life Randy sang “ Why Me Lord ” and “ One Day at A Time ” as a form of gratitude for his many blessings from priests, spiritual teachers, counselors, angels and guides, both seen and unseen.  He was well aware of the sins, errors and mistakes he had made along the way, and was grateful for finally making peace with himself in his later years. During the last several years of his life he often spoke of the happiness and joy that he experienced, and the blessings he received, through providing service to loved ones, family and friends. He truly felt blessed in all ways, and often gave thanks throughout the day to his Heavenly Father , as well as to his angels and guides!

Randy is survived by his brother Thomas (Boise) and sister-in-law Suzanne, son Kelly (Bend) and daughter-in-law Jana, and son Thomas (Portland)and daughter-in-law Laurie, beloved grandkids Elly, Reagan and Kambren, ex-wife and friend Jackie (Hebert) Petross, and ex-wife and best friend for 30 plus years, RosaMary Izaguirre.  Randy was preceded in death by his father Arthur (Art) in 1967, his mother Donna in 2010, and his mother’s devoted caretaker and partner for 22 years, Vince Parker in 2017.

Randy purchased both his plot and tombstone in 2008, as well as paid the opening and closing costs, joking with family members that if they chose to have a service on a Saturday, they would have to pay the cemetery caretakers over-time costs.  This Memorial Day will be the first time in 15 years that Randy hasn’t enjoyed decorating his own tombstone, as well as those of other family members.  He always enjoyed spending time alone at the cemetery visiting with those who had passed. He seemed to be preoccupied with preparing for his own death ever since his father died at age 46, and often told family members and friends that the “big heart attack” for him was probably right around the corner so many times it became a family joke.  His parting words during visits or calls were often “If I don’t see you again, I will see you on the other side”!  He told his brother Tom to make sure he was cremated with his worn-out New York Yankees sweatshirt on – once a Yankee always a Yankee he said, although he changed favorites in college and pro football depending on who the quarterback, or even the coach, was!  During the last year and a half, after being diagnosed with lung cancer in August, 2021, Randy often spoke of the “incredible blessings” he was given as a result of the terminal cancer diagnosis.  He said that he was showered with acceptance and gratitude for all the blessings of this life, as well as the love and compassion he felt for the suffering of others.  He had come to a state of inner peace that he had prayed for and strived for many, many years.

In closing, he wished to give thanks to each and every member of his outstanding medical team at St. Alphonsus hospital, St. Alphonsus Cancer Institute, Horizon Home Health and Hospice, and the many prayers he received from family and friends up until his death.

Note to friends: In typical Randy Meyer fashion, this obituary was written by Randy himself! He liked writing obituaries for people who were still alive, and he knew how to make it fun for everyone!

Funeral Details:
Funeral Mass: Friday, March 10th at 11:00 AM.  Luncheon and celebration of life will immediately follow.
Location : Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 900 NW 7th St, Fruitland, ID 83619

Graveside Interment of Ashes: Friday, March 10th at 2:00 PM
Location : 3600 Hwy 30 W, New Plymouth, ID 83655

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.