Randall J. Ellis

Randall James Ellis, 86, of Topeka, went home to be with our Heavenly Father on Thursday, November 23, 2017. Born to Clyde Foster Ellis and Dana Idella Watts Ellis on October 9, 1931 in Independence, Missouri, Randy, their only son, was the youngest of three children.

Randy grew up in Independence, Missouri with a strong, solid Christian foundation and became a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father, RLDS Apostle Ellis, was a church missionary and was often away from home for long periods of time with his service to the Church. This, along with the fact that his father passed away when he was just 13, formed a very close bond between Randy and his dear mother, Dana, a registered nurse at the SAN Hospital, who was the sole resident parent much of the time.

After graduating from William Chrisman High School, Randy enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 21, 1951 and served in Japan during the Korean Conflict. He was discharged in September, 1955 as a Staff Sergeant. Upon returning to the United States, Randy entered the University of Missouri and earned a BS in Business Administration. He next attended Central Missouri State University and obtained his teaching credentials. This was just the beginning of Randy seeking higher education as he continued his studies throughout his life.

On August 17, 1962, Randy married Annie Katherine Stricker in the Bandera, Texas RLDS Church, after which time the couple made their home in Topeka, Kansas. Randy then attended the University of Kansas and earned a MS in Guidance and Counseling. In 1969, with no children of their own, Randy and Kathy took in two boys that were in need of a stable, loving environment. In time, the boys were considered 'their family' as they still are today.

During the fifty-plus-years that Randy lived in Topeka his career span included counseling in a number of locations, including twenty years with the Department of Defense from which he retired. Upon retirement, he volunteered his time counseling those in need in the Topeka area.

Randy lastly received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friend's University. Kathy was a wonderful helpmate to her husband of 50 years in both his education and career and they were delighted to be able to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends on August 19, 2012, just seven weeks prior to her death from cancer.

Randy was a member of Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene. He sincerely dedicated his life to the service of the Lord as a young adult and continued throughout his life trying to fulfill that promise. He had a keen interest in politics and current events and shared his concerns with letters to the editor in the Topeka newspaper. He was a huge fan of John Wayne and old western movies. He loved football and was an avid supporter of both the University of Missouri and Kansas State University and held season tickets for both teams for decades. He also greatly loved all his pets, dogs, cats, and raccoon he had over the years and their companionship. Randy will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and his surviving pets.

Randy was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and 2 sisters. He is survived by sons, Dwight Young, Topeka, and Doyal (Vonda) Young, Paxico; 5 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; several nephews and a niece; and in-laws in Texas.

A celebration of Randy's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Doorstep.

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