Randall (Randy) W. Pike

Randall (Randy) W. Pike, 60, of Adrian, Mo., passed away on Sept. 20, 2014, at Bates County Memorial Hospital, Butler, Mo. He was born on Sept. 30, 1953, in Butler, Mo., the son of Wesley and Nelda (Carroll) Pike. Randy graduated from Butler High School in 1972 and attended Central Missouri State University. He married Patricia Long in 1974. They had two children, Dillion Thomas Pike and Dr. Michelle Diane Pike.

Randy enjoyed two very rewarding career fields. He developed his interests in nature and different art mediums to become a master taxidermist and wood carver. Earning top recognition at the 1988 World Taxidermy and Wildlife Art Competitions, Randy won first place in "Best in the World Fish" in the Fish category and second place in Deer Head Division at the Master Level categories. With his knowledge of animal anatomy and attention to detail, his work evolved from taxidermy to include wood carving and sculpting. He won many national and state honors for his work and went on to teach and judge nationally. Many are the proud owners of his detailed taxidermy mounts and intricate wood carvings. His family especially enjoyed the hand carved Santas he made and gave each Christmas.

As an Adrian School Board member, he developed an interest for public service. Randy was elected as Bates County Northern Commissioner from 2000-12 and as a Missouri State Representative for District 126 from 2013-14. He especially enjoyed serving as a State Representative and was recognized as Missouri House of Representatives Freshman Legislator of the Year in Agriculture Policy in 2014 and Missouri House of Representatives Freshman Legislator of the Year in Veterans Affairs in 2013. He felt very priviledged to represent his constituents and worked diligently on their behalf on the county and state levels.

Randy enjoyed the friendship and activities of many groups through the years and received many recognitions. He was past president and member of the Butler Lion's Club, past president and member of the Adrian Chamber of Commerce, member of the Nevada and Butler Chambers of Commerce, Adrian Optimist Club, Bates County Museum, Vernon County Bushwacker Museum, Bates County Republicans, Bates County Cattlemen Association, Ducks Unlimited, Wild Turkey Federation, and National Rifle Association. He was a Bates County 4-H Fair Judge for many years, former little league coach, past president and member of the Bates County Extension Council, past president of Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission, past president of the Osage Valley Rural Conservation and Development Board, and past board member of the Association of Counties. His hobbies and interests included duck hunting, fishing, working in his studio and spending time with friends and family.

Randy was preceded in death by his father, Wesley Pike; and grandparents, John and Mabel (Spain) Pike and Harvey and Cecilia (Steffen) Carroll.

He is survived by his mother, Nelda (Carroll) Pike; wife, Patricia (Long) Pike; son, Dillion (Channing) Pike; daughter, Dr. Michelle Pike; granddaughters, Isabella Bo Pike and Josephine Harper Pike; sisters, Evonne (Francis) Matthews and Janet (Rocky) Robinson; nephews, Patrick (Charlotte) Matthews and Harley Robinson; nieces, Allison (Bobby) Allen and Amanda (Daniel) Acree; and great-nieces Evangeline Matthews, Elaina Acree, and Elsie Acree. He enjoyed the love and friendship of many and was very proud of his family, community, district, state and country.

Funeral services for Representative Randy W. Pike will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, at Mullinax Funeral Home, in Butler, Mo., with the Revs. John Bolderson and Chris Snyder officiating, with special words from LTCOL Barney Fisher, USMC (Ret.), and Dennis Page. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., at Mullinax Funeral Home. Contributions are suggested to the Representative Randy Pike Memorial Scholarship for Students of Bates and Vernon counties. Burial will follow services in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Mo.

Messages of condolence for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.