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Randy Dickson September 28, 1959 - August 16, 2021

September 28,1959 – August 16, 2021

After a brief but fierce battle with leukemia, God decided to take Randy home on August 16, 2021.

Randal Larry Dickson was born September 28, 1959 to Larry and Gail (Noel) Dickson at Mather AFB near Sacramento, CA. He was raised in Sacramento, attended area schools and graduated from Elk Grove High School. A graduate of Anderson University, Anderson Indiana, he married Erin Blackwell in October 1991. Daughter Natalie was born in 1994, and son Ben arrived in 1998. Randy and Erin moved to Turlock CA in 2000 and raised their family there. Randy had a long career in the packaging industry, most recently working with International Paper, where he met many customers and coworkers who have become close friends.

Randy loved 70’s music, baseball, traveling, corny jokes, and The Andy Griffith Show. He loved spending time with the lifelong friends he met in his church’s youth group and they got together as often as possible in recent years.

Randy and his family enjoyed vacationing in Disneyland, Hawaii, Yosemite, Monterey, cruises to Mexico and the Caribbean, and one amazing trip to Japan. Randy and Erin were looking forward to many more trips after his planned retirement later this year.

Randy was an amazing man of God. Over the years Randy served as an elder, leader, teacher, and church planter in many of the churches he was involved with. He played guitar for worship even though he claimed he had no rhythm, and used the challenges he’d experienced in life to minister to others.

Randy is survived by his wife of almost 30 years Erin, daughter Natalie (Vinny) Kopilow, son Ben Dickson, and grandson Ezra Kopilow. He also leaves behind his mother Gail Dickson, sisters Lori (Jim) Vierra, Marcia (Paul) Haifley, many nieces and nephews, and 4 great-nieces.

He joined his father Larry Dickson and sister Neva Dickson Basques, worshipping God in Heaven with unimaginable joy.

Please join us at a Celebration of Life for Randy on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 1pm, at New Life Christian Center, 2918 W. Tuolumne Rd, Turlock, CA.

Once you have submitted your condolence, it will be approved by our staff during office hours, then published on your loved one’s page.

Condolences(13)

  1. John And Deb Foster says

    Our sincere condolences Erin, Natalie, Ben and family regarding Randy’s passing. We remember fondly ministering with Randy at Living Faith Community Church as a strong, mature and joyful Christian – and especially when he joined in on the worship team (he was better than he thought!) May God’s peace be with you Erin as you discover a new normal, and also with your entire family. Our prayers will be with you in the days & months ahead. Pastor John and Deb

  2. Julien Miclette says

    like all of you I have been deeply affected by the loss of Randy. We met 17 years ago through our work and he grew to be such a good friend to me, a brother. In many ways we were traveling parallel paths, he about 6 months my elder, we dreamed together, planned and schemed in our dealings with our line of work but also about our lives and what we aspired for, including retirement.
    I last saw Randy in late June and I was truly shaken by the news. I was not aware that he had announced his retirement, and if it weren’t for my trust in God and Randy’s faith I would cry out Injustice! But I understand that the Lord works in mysterious ways, so it must be that Randy’s soul was urgently needed on a new mission.
    However, I know in my soul that he will continue to accompany me, God willing, in fulfilling the dream we shared of a fruitful, long and happy retirement. I will be inspired, and honour Randy moving forward, with every day They grant me in this life.

  3. Chris Mills says

    Randy was an exceptional human being, that I was lucky to have worked with as long as I did. He always had a smile on his face and usually brought one to yours as well. You could not ask for a better colleague. His level of professionalism was hard to beat and he always knew what to do in just about any situation. He will be missed by many and me especially. Fair winds and following seas my friend.

  4. Will Rauch says

    Randy was a great guy. He was honest as the day was long. He had an infectious smile and always had a positive outlook. He was a wonderful human being. He was a true man of integrity who loved his family and loved the Lord. It was a blessing that our paths crossed in this lifetime. He will be missed. I had the opportunity to text with Randy just days before he passed. In his text to me he said, “it would be cool to get together one of these days”. Well, God willing we will meet again my friend and won’t that be cool.

  5. Dave Williams says

    2000-2005 were my Randy years. He and Erin joined my wife and I in a local church plant. Randy could not have been more supportive and faithful. We prayed, studied, worshipped, served and dreamed together. Those years were often not easy but they were rich for me because of Randy. I loved his sense of humor, his ineptness at golf (which we both shared), his love of God and his family, In happy times, he could rejoice with the best, in challenging times, you would do no better than to have Randy at your side. His passing hurts although I know he is in Heaven reminding us not to weep for him. But honestly, we weep for ourselves knowing his infectious smile is not nearby. Karen, my sons and I mourn with Erin, Natalie and Ben, but we are so thankful for his faith in Jesus and that our separation is but for a few short years.

  6. Kim Dein says

    Oh this news breaks my heart. I met Randy as he was a vendor, calling on Foster Farms. He was so willing to drive across town to help at a moment’s notice. Randy always had a smile on his face and was such a positive man. He spoke highly of his family. While I never met his immediate family, it felt as though I knew them from afar. God bless you during this time. May Randy’s memory live on, he touched so many people.

  7. Earl Noel says

    My favorite cousin as we would say to each other. I will miss you my friend. Playing little jokes on one an other and of course on family and friends! Thanks for all the great times, Randy. You helped me find God again, I will be forever grateful.
    Syn-dee & I talked to Randy the night before he went to heaven. He sounded so happy and up beat.
    Love you Randy see you in heaven. Your favorite cousin Earl

  8. Charles Fox says

    Randy was a good friend and mentor. He is the definition of a good person and someone I think of when I have a tough decision I’ll ask myself what would he do. He will be greatly missed and we are very sorry for your loss.

  9. Scott Beckman says

    Randy will be missed. I enjoyed my times in fellowship with him, working on customer “opportunities” with him, and attending conferences with him. Randy’s strength came form the Lord. A scripture comes to mind when I think of him: Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt 11:28-29

  10. Bob and Jan Harrington says

    Erin and family, we send our deepest sympathies. We had the privilege to work with Randy for many years, and that developed into a friendship we have treasured. The world lost one of the “good ones” and he will forever be in our hearts..
    Unfortunately we are in Pennsylvania and cannot attend but will toast him with a bottle of red and stories of our adventures in the chaotic world of packaging. RIP Randy.

  11. John and Evelyn Schenkenberger says

    It is an honor to have known Randy. His smile, love, and joyful personality were infectious. May God bring comfort to Erin, Natalie, Gail and the family, knowing that he has joined the great cloud of witnesses in heaven.

  12. Cheryl (Jacobs) Bates says

    I first met Randy and the Dickson Family at First Church of God around the age of 5. I have fond memories of Randy through our youth group days and the start of college. Randy and my pops celebrated their birthday on the same day. This year I am sure they are celebrating together. God took a good Godly man way to early! Thank you for touching so many lives by just being you.

  13. Nichole Moore says

    Erin and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Randy at IP and truly enjoyed him not only as a co worker but a friend . I don’t think I have ever known a kinder soul. I am sure god has much bigger plans for him. I will miss our afternoon chats about our latest grocery outlet wine purchases! You will be sorely missed my friend.

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