Randy Gale Sopher was born on January 13, 1958 in Galesburg, Ill. to Ed and Mary Sopher. He was the oldest of two children, becoming a big brother to Teresa in 1960. In 1969 Randy moved, with his family, to Colstrip Mt., where he lived for the remainder of his life. Randy was a member of the graduating class of 1976, at Colstrip High School. At the time, Randy was an active member of the school band where he played the trumpet, he played on the high school foot ball team, and he loved to ride motorcycles even if they did tended to hurt him a lot. He had a life time love for hunting, fishing, and camping, and later in life had a passion for raising his mules and horses. In 1979, while working in Williston ND., Randy met and fell in love with Catherine Hill, who moved to Colstrip and became his wife on February 16, 1980. Randy began working for MPC/PPL in 1980 where he was a welder and equipment operator until he passed away. Together he and Cathi had 3 children, Stephanie, Melissa, and Jeremiah. Through out the years Randy played an active role in the Colstrip Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the IBEW local 1638 union. He loved hunting any thing he could draw a tag for, the out doors and all that entailed, and shooting trap at the local trap club. Randy was preceded in death by his grandparents: George and Eleanor Sopher, Juanita Holmes Enyeardt, Willard “Willie” Holmes and Grant Enyeardt. He is survived by his parents: Ed and Mary Sopher, of Brownsville TX, his wife: Cathi Sopher of Roundup MT, his sister: Teresa Donahue and her husband Tom of Missoula MT and his children and grandchildren : Stephanie Lawrence and husband Ryan, their children Kaysea and Toby of Castle Rock CO., Melissa Bloxom and husband Greg, their children Carrie, Jacob, Deviin and Caitlynn of Gillette WY. and Jeremiah Sopher and his son Jason of Roundup MT. Services for Randy will be held at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the Bull Mountain Volunteer Fire Department in Roundup, MT
Chris says
Jim and I are holding all of you in prayer. Please call if you need anything–love you all–Chris
Bo Lyon says
Cathi..you and your family are in our thoughts & prayers at this difficult time! Mary & Ed…words can not express how sorry we are for your loss! Randy was a best friend with my brother Dan Cinnamon for so many years…and I know they are catching up now. May God grant you all the Peace of the Lord…! Love you all..! Bo & Gary Lyon & Jaycee, too!
Lloyd & Norma says
Ed, Mary & Cathi ….Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you.We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers. Love, Lloyd & Norma
Dennis and Louise Davenport says
We are so saddened to hear. We hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
clay an joan says
Ed, Mary, Cathi, an family.. so sorry to hear about Randy. If you need anything give us a call. Love yyou all….. The Andersons
Debbie Skiles says
Cathi, Melissa & Jeremiah also Ed & Mary, We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Doug, Debbie & Callie Skiles
Dixie & Don Tapp says
Ed & Mary & Kathy
Our heart felt thoughts go out to you.. We will Keep you all in our prayers.
Dixie Cozzens and Don Tapp
Dixie & Don Tapp says
Ed & Mary & Kathy
Our heart felt thoughts go out to you.. We will Keep you all in our prayers.
Dixie Cozzens and Don Tapp
Fred Schutt says
To all of the Sopher’s, I’m so very sorry for your loss and please know Randy is Home with God. My prayers go out to you all.
Diane Gronlund says
Cathi, Melissa, & Jeremiah, You are in my thoughts and prayers. Randy always had a shining smile that will last forever. It lit up a room. Keep the memories in your hearts. Love Ya Lots! Diane (Tigger)
Becky Hanson Stanton says
Ed, Mary, Cathi, Melissa & Jeremiah, I am so sad to hear of your loss. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart hurts for you all.
Terry Currier says
Randy was a great person. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you Cathi and your family.
kaysea grace lawrence says
Papa randy was the best person on earth other that my mimi and I miss u and now he is my other guardian angel. Miss and love u papa randy.
Ken and Irene Nelson says
To the Sopher family, We are so sorry to hear about Randy’s death. He will be missed by many. May the love of God, family and friends support you during this difficult time.
Laura Stroh & family says
We are so very sorry Cathi, Missy, and Jeremiah. At this heartbreaking time, our only hope is that God will provide you with comfort & peace. Wish we were there to wrap our arms around you. Will continue to keep you all in our thoughts & prayers. Love you all.
Marilyn Boese says
To the Sophers Families;
I am truely at a loss in hearing of Randy’s death. He ,Richard and Ray Durham among others are having a good ole time up there together. His absence will swallow you up at times but you have your own protector watching over you now.
He’s not gone he is just away. You and your families have been added to many a prayer for God’s strength and a blanket of peace to comfort you.
We didn’t sign up for this journey but we can travel it together.
Cathi,Mary, Ed, Teresa and families ,while Randy is busy bragging about each of you,my prayer is that God will hold you in the palm of His hand. Blessings on each of you.
Love Marilyn Boese and family!!
Donna and Lawrence McCulloch says
To the Sopher family, we are sorry for your loss, may you find comfort in God’s love and in your memories of Randy.
Willowa Ankeny says
To The Sopher families:
I am at a loss of words when I read about Randy. May each an everyone of you find strength in the lord and let him help you through your time of sorrow and loss. I have known you all for many years, and my heart and soul are saddened at this time. I will say a prayer for you all and hope you can remember the good times you all had with Randy. He always had a smile on his face that would lite up this world, and would do anything for anyone. Take Care Randy and RIP see you someday in heaven.
Jean Carter says
To the Sopher Families:
I am so very sorry for your loss. Love to all of you.
Clenora cogdill Quinlan says
Cathi, Ed, Mary and to Randy’s children. What a man he was loved by all who knew him.
Children are not suposed to pass before their parents just one of many wrongs in this world. God bless you and hold you dear and near, to go thro the days ahead knowing Randy is in gods grace now. And Randy will be missed but forever in our hearts till we meet again. Hugs and Prayers to all of you.
Kelly Jackson says
You’re in my thoughts and prayers during this time of great sorrow. May God’s grace and peace remind you of the great times you had. Time will ease the pain and the great memories will let laughter come back into your lives. God bless you. Love you lots Cathi.
Ben Lewis and family says
Our prayers are with you at this sad time, we all have pleasant memories of Randy and his family. God bless you all and be with you.
Becky and Larry Miller says
Dear Sopher Family, thinking of you during this difficult time. I have so many fun memories of Randy from high school. His smile and laugh would light up a room. May God comfort you in your sorrow. Hugs.
George and Ina Haines says
Dear Cathi and family, Words have no way of expressing how so many of us feel. Please know that we hold you up to God, our Father, that He might hold you at this sorrowful time in your lives. Go with God and hold onto those memories of your Randy. They will sustain you. Hugs, Daddy George and Mama Ina. We love you girl . . .
,Karen Ross says
Cathy, Melissaand Jeremiah my prayers and love are with you. I know how hard this is for all of you. I didn’t really know Randy but I knew he was very loved by all of you. He is with God now and watching all of you from up there. You are all in my prayers every day and if you need me call me. I love U
Gale and Juli says
We are holding all you in our hearts today. We are thankful for the friendship we have shared with this family through the years.
Randy-we wish you happy hunting…
marla haughey anderson says
I am shocked and saddened for your loss of randy. i will be honestly praying for you and if you need anything at all, I am a half hour away and will come running. ( 406-860-9625) love, marla
Jim and Kathie Yates says
We are so sorry,our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Patti Crosby says
To the entire Sopher family, our prayers & deepest sympathy go out to you, in your time of loss.
George & Patti
Rand Young says
I remember moving to Colstrip and meeting Randy. We were friends instantly. Randy was the kind of person who looked at life in a positive way and his sense of humor was truly contagious. Randy, my friend, I will truly miss you. God Bless.
To the Sopher Family, our prayers and deepest sympathies to you.
Betty Torgerson & Cathy Torgerson-Britton says
There are no real words of comfort at this difficult time, our hearts are heavy with sorrow but our minds are full of wonderful memories.
Ray, Twila, Melissa and Adia Loveridge says
Cathi, Melissa, Jeremiah, Ed and Mary, Randy was such a lively, loving man. We fondly remember his big smile and laughing words. We pray that fond memories will comfort all of you. Hugs to you all.
Tom and Sheryl Toscano says
Cathi and Family. I love you and know that we are sorry of the passing of Randy. Many prayers go out to all of you. God is looking over you. God Bless. ((((hugs))))
Kelly Cozzens says
Cathi,
Randy and I were good friends in high-school. Though 35 years have quickly passed I still have fond memories of Randy and the positive influence he provided. Death is not so much the extinguishing of a light, but the putting out of the lamp because the dawn has come. May God bless you and the entire Sopher Family.
KC
Connie Schaefer says
Cathy I was so sorry to hear of your loss. If you ever need to talk or whatever give me a call. If he was sick or passed suddenly it is always hard for a person because you never got a chance to say goodbye or I love you one last time. I know I miss Caspers big old hands around mine when we would go for walks. I still wait for the front door to close at 1 or 2 inthe morning. I knew he was home. If you need anything please let me know.
Laurie Lelm says
Love to you and I am very sorry for your loss. Cathi , Jeremiah and Melissa, you know I am here for you at any time day or night. Remember the happy times and treasure the memories. He will be missed by many.
Charlie Anderson says
Sopher Clan- I am so sorry for thw loss of Uncle Randy, just like mom said we are really close, to where you are located here is my number also, love you all be strong. – I know you will be.
Charlie Anderson says
He will be missed I miss his stories. He had so many…8600995
The Krolls says
Ed, Mary, Cathi and Family – We are so sorry for your loss. Randy touch our lives in alot of ways and he will be forever missed. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers and we extend a huge hug to you all. May God keep you strong!
Tony & Kim says
We are so sorry for your loss Cathi, prayers to you and your family!! God will carry you thru this, Love ya
"Festus" & Carol Wicker says
May our loving God bless you with many great memories and the knowledge that Randy has simply preceeded you to our beautiful home in Glory. You WILL meet him there as we were promised. Until then, be strong and cling to one another to share the love he left with you. Praying for each of you individually and as tremendous family.
Robert & Lois Olmstead says
Cathy, Ed, Mary and all your family – Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Randy was truly one of Colstrip’s own kids – and he won’t be forgotten!
Joyce and Jim Mountain says
Dear Sophers
How do you remember a son, a husband, a father and so much to so many more? By Randy’s gifts to you and those around him as he traveled his path. Each of us has our special memories and those are the things we cling to in this hard time. Remember God’s loving grace and kindness is there with you each day as you travel through it. Remember too that there are many who morn with you and care how each of you are and are here for you. Love to each of you.
Marty Mulcahy says
To Cathy and all the Sopher family: I was saddened to hear of Randy’s passing. He was a co-worker and a friend. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, Randy.
Nancy Franklin says
Dear Cath, Missy, Steph, Jere, Ed and Mary: We can’t begin to express how saddened we were to hear of Randy’s passing. What a hole he has left in your hearts and ours, he was still a young man… I am assured of this, he is finally free of the things that bound him here on this earth, and that makes us relieved for him. We pray that our Lord will be of comfort to you all and give you strength in the days ahead! We are here for you and you will be lifted up in our thoughts and prayers. Our love to all of you …His memory will not be snuffed out!
Eldon and Karen Woods says
We are so sad to hear about your loss. We are praying for all of you.
Janelle Timber-Jones says
Thinking of you Cathi, Melissa, Jeremiah and Sopher family, sending prayers of comfort and love. There are reasons for everything that go beyond our comprehension and understanding. The only thing I do know for sure is that there are angels wrapping their blessedness around us in times as difficult as these. I love you guys.
Paul and Donna Lenski says
We are saddened by the loss of a friend and co-worker. He always had a story or a joke for me. Our condolences to Cathi, Ed, and Mary along with the rest of the family.
S. Elaine says
To the Sopher family,
My deepest condolences over the loss of Randy. Hold tight to your cherished memories. Lean on family and friends for support. And take comfort. Our Heavenly Father and His Son Christ Jesus have not forsaken us. At Isaiah 41:10 God gives us the assurance; “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness.” Remember also, God has given us His son so that we might have hope. John 5:21, 28,29; Matthew 5:5. May the resurrection promise bring you peace.
D. Johnson says
Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your dear loved one, Randy. Take comfort in knowing that soon our heavenly Creator will permanently remove all pain, sorrow, and death. Yes! We have the hope of a resurrection. May you be granted the inner peace and strength to cope with the days ahead.
Revelation 21: 3,4 John 5:28,29 Philippians 4:13
T. Kelly says
Please accept my condolences. May you find comfort in the fond memories of your loved one. The Bible also offers words of comfort during times of bereavement. It is comforting to know the Bible speaks of a time when “death will be no more” at Rev 21:3, 4. During your time of bereavement you can find comfort in reading these verses in the Bible
The Elton Family says
To the Sopher Family:
My wife and I would like to express our deepest sympathy over the loss of Mr. Sopher. Randy will be missed by everyone who knew him. When we read Genesis 1:28 and 31, we find that sickness and death were not a part of God’s original purpose. How thankful we are that our grand Creator plans to restore his original purpose and make it possible for all mankind (including loved ones we have lost in death) to live forever under perfect conditions. (Revelation 21:3-5; John 5:28,29) It is our hope that these words bring you a measure of comfort during this difficult time. Once again, please accept our condolences as you deal with the loss of Randy and contemplate the hope of seeing him again.