CHENEY — Clay Randall died suddenly and unexpectedly on State Route 902 just east of Medical Lake on the evening of Oct. 22 when he was partially ejected from his truck when it went off the road before rolling across the highway and landing upside down in the ditch.
Like many of us, he hadn’t planned ahead for his ultimate, if untimely death.
Born in Chewelah in 1964, Randall was the oldest brother of five siblings. He eventually migrated to Tacoma where he was known as a clean-cut, preppy sort of guy who drove a red Corvette, according to his niece, Nikki Bratton.
“Then he hit a place in his life where I guess he didn’t need all that,” and eventually moved to Cheney where he lived “like a hillbilly,” she said. He grew a beard and took on the aspect of a mountain man. There he began playing guitar.
“He loved it. He just absolutely owned it,” she said.
There were only two things he took everywhere with him: his guitar and his dog, Cutter. He was ready to play for anyone, Bratton said.
Randall’s guitar, amp and microphone were found inside the vehicle after the accident. Cutter was found wandering near the scene and eventually landed with Randall’s ex-girlfriend. Bratton said the family was attempting to get custody of the dog.
The family has setup a GoFundMe site, hoping to collected $3,000 to cover Randall’s cremation costs and to dispose of belongings that require disposal.
“Will give away what they can and haul the rest to the landfill,” Bratton said. “The $3,000 will cover the essentials, but not enough for what we need. We’re not a wealthy family.”
No immediate services are planned, according to Bratton, who referred to Randall as a very private person. While a memorial date has yet to be set, she said one might be held at Thanksgiving when their family comes together in Chehalis, Wash.
“He was a funny guy who could make a joke out of anything. He went too soon,” Bratton said.
Lee Hughes can be reached at [email protected].
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