I Lost a good friend

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

21:30 hours last night I lost a very good friend.  His name was Randy Stepper.  He was 48 years old and like his father died at the same age both a few months after their 48th birthday.  It is a sad day in a small town West of Salem Oregon, a community of about 25,000.  Dallas Oregon is the name.  He and I were raised there.  Everyone knows everyone. Small town businesses that actually provide quality services.  It is a kind of town that if you don't quite have the full amount for that loaf of bread and gallon of milk, we'll catch ya next time is not uncommon.  People care and take steps to help others.

Growing up with Randy was a privilege and an honor that I will keep close to my heart as I will miss him dearly.  He was my best man at our wedding, a pall barer at my grand mothers funeral and again at my mothers funeral.  He was the first one at Tammy and my side when we lost my mother. 
I know there are good friends out there, we all have them I am sure.  Randy touched so many lives in his own short life.  He had no acquaintances, that is because once you met him, you truly had a friend.  He had many.
He worked at Salem Memorial Hospital as a crash team member and technician.  That was a job he spent 25 year enjoying and helping others including family and friends.  That hospital has over 2000 employees and he knew every one of them personally in some way.

He married my cousin Rene 7 years his senior 20 years ago and leaves behind a very heart broken wife that is having  a very difficult time.  This man was her knight in shinning armor, a gentleman and a good neighbor to 25,000 people of Dallas.

Please give prayers to Rene who has lost a special part of her life last night and to those that will miss him dearly.

God Bless you Randy Lee Stepper, you were a good man

Your best of friends

Doug.

[TomKat]

Sorry to hear that TK if you or anyone in Dallas need help let me know, As you know that I was a fire fighter there as you where also and you know that "we" will help those that need it. As TK said Dallas is a great small town I loved it there. I only moved out due to Oregon schools being so bad. Let me know TK You are in my prayers.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Thanks Tom, Randy was a volunteer for several years there, we both left about the same time, letting the younger bucks come out with soot in their noses.  I will have to contact Bill Hahn, I am sure he knows what happened.

[Morbius{MEOW}]

My deepest condolences to you and your family. All will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Raidien{MEOW}]

my prayers are with your family and friends.

[Darsus]

May GOD bless and watch over you and your friends. May he help you in your time of need.

[Unleashed{MEOW}]

Sorry to hear about your loss TK

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Thank you all.  This helps in so many ways to have a platform such as this and support from an online family.

[Gilmo{MEOW}]

Condolences to the families involved.  We need more people like him.

[Doball{MEOW}]

I'm sorry to hear about you and your family's loss TK. Sounds like the same type of town/people where I grew up. Those of us who know people like that are so blessed, but also seem to have the biggest holes in our lives when that person is gone. You are all in my prayers.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

I am blessed.  Truly, I find solice in your prayers and your words.  Bless you all and thank you.
Tammy and I got to view him today as we made preperations for his memorial next Saturday.  It will be a large event.  He looked so peaceful.  I just still have such a hard time with this guys.  I jumped in the game last night and had some fun as it kept my mind away from the dreadful thought of him passing. 
If I can say one thing to any of you, you have heard it before, treat every day as your last.  What I mean is, those close to you are important.  In a blink of an eye, they may not be there tomorrow.
Thanks to all of you.  You are true friends and I am very proud to know I have such friends in this online community.

[Jugulator*{MEOW}*]

Sorry TK. He lives on in you. I read what you have to say about him and it reminds me of you, I can see why you two were so close. Carry on my friend with his spirit in your heart.
Poor Rene, I know she deserved a man like him, why is life so cruel to good people?
To Rene I send a heartfelt hug. give her that hug for me will you? and whisper in her ear that there are people out there who haven't even met her, who care and who love her, and who grieve with her over such an honorable man.

Here's to Randy-21 of them:

[FireKat*{MEOW}*]

sorry to hear that TK, My deepest condolences to you.

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

I'm so sorry.  You will see him again I'm sure of that.  God's Blessings on those that are left behind.
The Peace of God be with you Brother; may God sooth our soul.

[thekatdaddy{MEOW}]

Sorry for the loss you and your faily have had TK.  Prayers from my house to yours. 
S!

Kelly