Randy Flanders

Obituary of Randy Flanders



Surrounded by love and with his family, Randolph Jay Flanders passed away in his Cherryvale home on August 23, 2020.

Randy was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on January 11, 1951 to Floyd Miller Flanders and Barbara Stanley Flanders. He enjoyed a fun and carefree childhood in Coffeyville and attended Coffeyville Community College and Kansas State University before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1984. He received numerous awards during his service and was stationed in Scotland, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, New Orleans, Louisiana and Pensacola, Florida before leaving the Navy in 1994. Upon returning to Kansas, he worked numerous years at John Deere in Coffeyville.

An avid gardener, Randy grew fabulous lilies and roses, among other flowers, and enjoyed growing vegetables, a hobby he shared with his father, Floyd; stepmother, Marilyn; and grandfather, “Grand.” He took delight in growing vegetables he didn’t enjoy just so he could give them to his friends and family.

Randy had a curious mind and read widely, often focusing on history and archeology. He took pleasure in the simple things of life: watching the sun rise, counting the hummingbirds zooming around his Rose of Sharon shrub, and spending time with friends and family. In fact, he had a remarkable ability to maintain close friendships through decades.

He is survived by two sisters, Patty McWhirter of Bella Vista, Arkansas and her husband, Preston; and Liz Hucke of Cherryvale, Kansas and her husband, Randy. He is also survived by four nieces, Mandy Johnston and her husband, Michael, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Carrie Tomes and her fiancé Chris Heinze of Edmond, Oklahoma; Andrea Hucke of Cherryvale, Kansas; and Lauren Hucke of Cherryvale, Kansas. Also, two nephews, Preston McWhirter III and his wife, Niki, of Midwest City, Oklahoma; and Mitchell Hucke of Kansas City, Missouri.

A private graveside family service with military honors will be held at Cherryvale’s Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Randy requested contributions to Heifer International, Doctors Without Borders, or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and they may be left or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home, 216 East 4th, Cherryvale, Kansas 67335.