Randy E. Heft

Randy E. Heft drifted peacefully off to sleep…and then simply just drifted away on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 with his wife at his side. He lived an incredible 70 years. Randy was a husband, a father, a father-in-law, a grandfather, a son, a brother, and a friend. To most people, he was Randy, but to those he loved, he was Sweetheart, Dad, Daddy, Honey, Grandpa, Mr. H, Uncle Randy and Butch. But to all of us, he was special. Randy was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 15, 1945. He also lived for a period of time in San Bernardino, California. Randy served in the Army from 1964 to 1967. He was stationed in Germany and then arrived at Fort Lewis Base in Washington State in 1966. Shortly after arriving at Fort Lewis, he was out one night with his Army buddies and he fell backwards over a bar railing and into the lap of a young lady named Katie Sue who was out with her friends. It was quite the meeting – less than a year later they were married on April 22, 1967. Kaylie Rená was the first daughter to arrive, followed a couple years later by Nancy Ann and then a couple years later Deborah Lynn joined the family. Randy worked for a number of years for the Department of Natural Resources. He then retired from the State and worked in the private sector doing surveying. After working for the private sector, he then began a job he loved most – working for Thurston County as the County Land Surveyor. He often spoke of his co-workers and his crew and how they made coming to work fun and enjoyable. They were like a second family and had a special place in his heart. Not one day went by at work that some joke wasn’t played on someone and/or a reference made about Chuck Norris. A lot of laughs were had at work. Randy loved the outdoors. He loved being outside and surveying. He loved the ocean, Mt. Rainier and deep sea fishing and he loved going on day trips with his family. But the time spent with his family was the best part of each day – no matter what they were doing even if it was simply running errands, sitting by the lake in the summer time or sitting at the train station in the rain watching trains go by. Randy retired from Thurston County in November 2011. It was not too long after retiring that we got the news of the lung cancer diagnosis. Randy fought the most courageous battle with cancer these past few years – always a trooper and never, ever a complaint. He always had a smile and never once lost his sense of humor or sarcasm. Even when things got challenging, his laugh and smile lit up a room. Randy had the best sense of humor and loved practical jokes and loved telling jokes. One of his favorites was, “A horse walks into a bar and the bartender asks “Why the long face?” We heard that a million times and never once did it get old. Randy’s biggest love was for his family. He loved his wife deeply and his three girls without measure. He then learned to love the husbands that came along…as well as a grandson. Randy also truly loved the Seattle Seahawks and not a single day went by that he didn’t wear something with the Seahawks on it. He also loved his coffee. He loved his 16 oz. triple shot Breve no sugar no flavor. His favorite coffee stand was Stir Krazy and seeing the smiles of the ladies that work there. He and his girls were “regulars” there and it was not uncommon to visit this coffee stand at least twice a day – and sometimes even three times! Randy is survived by his best friend and wife of nearly 49 years, Katie (Koreis); his daughters, Kaylie (Patrick Daly), Nancy (and her kitty, Honey), Deborah (Brian Bouton); and his grandson, Massimo who was the light of his grandpa’s eye. Randy is also survived by his sisters, Judy, Diane, Sandy and Susie; his brother, Bill; and many dear nieces and nephews. We would like to say special thanks to all our friends and family who have been there for us during this journey. Your support, thoughts and prayers mean more to us than words can say. We would also like to say a deeply felt “thank you” to Dr. Min Kang with Vista Oncology, also to Dr. Michael Dujela and to Dr. Melissa Purtteman. The quality of medical care Randy received during this time was more professional and compassionate and filled with so much care and respect not only for Randy but genuine caring for his family too. Each of these physicians made this daunting journey one that was filled with true, genuine compassion and sprinkled with laughter. Randy will forever be missed…. but never forgotten. He touched so many people’s lives. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lacey Community Center located at 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, WA 98503. Please join us on this special day of celebrating Randy. Come prepared to laugh, cry, joke and share a story or two. And if you have a favorite dish, please feel free to bring that too! And since Randy loved the Seahawks so much, please feel free to wear something Seahawks-themed. He would love that! We look forward to sharing memories with you and hearing stories. Please contact Randy’s daughters, Kaylie or Deborah, with any questions. Please leave memories of Randy or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.