Obituary - Randy S. Ross

Randy S. Ross, 61, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019, in Pasco, Washington, doing what he loved, traveling the countryside on his Harley.

Services will be held Saturday, July 20, in the Chinook High School auditorium with a public viewing at noon followed by the service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be at Kuper Memorial Cemetery with a reception to follow at Wallner Hall.

Randy burst into his life on Halloween of ’57. His dad knocked on neighbor’s doors, and they, expecting trick-or-treaters, were surprised to see LeRoy exclaiming that he got a boy! In his early years, Randy attended Meadowlark Elementary in Chinook, had a dachshund named Gopher, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Randy loved getting out and socializing. He would spend summers out at Walt and Allie Paulsen’s, who were a second family to him. Randy honed his dancing skills early by attending hangar dances out at the Hebbelman place. He was always a vehicle enthusiast, worked at Doughten Ford, and loved working on his ’70 Ford Torino. You could always find him and his friends working on derby cars. After graduating from Chinook High School in 1976, Randy attended Denver Automotive and Diesel College to further his automotive career.

Randy married Pattie Hiner in 1978. In their 12 years they had two girls, Kaissia in 1978 and Andrea (Andi Roonie) in 1982. He enjoyed taking his family camping, boating, and fishing. Randy passed on his love of traveling to both his girls. He would take them on dirt bike rides around town, boating and water skiing in the summers and snowmobiling at Seeley Lake.

Randy continued working for Doughten Ford after college and also worked on local farmer’s equipment in his spare time. In 1982, he started his service with the military as a member of the Montana Army National Guard. He and Pete Paulsen joined and attended basic training together, and served for many years solidifying the brotherhood they had always shared. After ten years with Doughten Ford, he accepted a position as a federal technician in 1985 working on military vehicles at the new OMS in Chinook. He continued to further his rank and career throughout the years. He attended officer training school at Fort Benning in Georgia and graduated with the rank of warrant officer. He then took a promotion to shop chief. In 2005, Randy relocated to Billings to take the shop chief position at their FMS.

Randy was always ready to help others and lend a hand. He was an active EMT and fireman for Blaine County until he moved to Billings in 2005. Randy was a blood donor who tried to never miss a blood drive, also as an organ donor he was able to donate both his corneas. Randy always had a love of planes and would fly with friends when he was able. In the 1990s, he obtained his pilot’s license, and a small group of local pilots formed the Chinook Flying Club.

After moving to Billings, Randy was able to buy his first plane. This opened up a new host of opportunities in his travel options. He attended fly-ins with friends, flew to see family, and traveled extensively for pleasure. He also rekindled his love of motorcycles and started riding again. After retiring two and a half years ago, Randy was able to commit to his hobbies full time. John Hebbelman was a lifelong friend, and what started as a fascination of working on machines turned into flying and riding across the continent together. Randy and Kim bought a house in Yuma and spent winters enjoying the warm weather returning to Billings each spring. Randy, Kim, John, and Angie always had a trip up their sleeve or some sort of antics planned. His quick wits and goofy personality were sure to bring fun at the turn of every corner. Randy knew how to bring a smile even to waitresses, retail workers, random people during his travels- “Have a happy after yesterday” or a “do you have an indelible inscription device?” he had a phrase for every occasion. He had a whimsy with words and a personality so big you just couldn’t forget him.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Ruby (Moxley) Ross.

He is survived by his daughters, Kaissia Ross Lenz of Chinook and Andi (Allen) French of Havre; grandchildren, Chase Lenz, Ivey Lenz, Gunnar Lenz, and Madilyn French; sisters, Tara (Jess) Baird of Chinook, Kimbrli Ross of Great Falls, and Kelly Ross of Great Falls; loving partner Kim Shelton; aunts Eva Apland and Holly Harris; uncle Clair Moxley; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Blaine County Ambulance or Fire Department, Dan Friede P.O. Box 787 Chinook, MT 59523.