Randy Smith

NOTICE: Alvord, Iowa Randy Smith, age 51 of Alvord, IA died unexpectedly Sunday, September 4th, 2011 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Friday, Sept. 9th at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids with Fr. Jeff Schleisman officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, IA with Fr. Dan Gunther officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 8th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids with Pastor Don Nelson leading a prayer service at 7 PM. Randy was born February 15, 1960, in Sioux City IA, the son of Larry and Pat (Pearson) Smith. He lived his early years in Sioux City attending Immaculate Conception Grade School and Heelan High School. He then worked at various businesses in Sioux City. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Hawaii. He was a morse code specialist while in the Army. He enjoyed his time serving in New Jersey and especially scuba diving in Hawaii. Randy won awards for sharpshooting during his service. He was proud to serve his country. After Randys discharge he moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and worked for Raven Industries. While in Sioux Falls, he met the love of his life, Sheri Simmons. Their friendship of twenty years resulted in marriage on May 19, 2005. They made their home in Alvord, IA and Randy worked for Rock Industries in Rock Valley, IA. Randy would want to remind his wife, his children, and his grandchildren how very much he loved them. He also loved very much his family, Sheris family, and extended families. He had a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews, his Grandma Rose, and Grandpa Bill. Randy had special children , his dogs for which he had a great affection. Randy was an avid life-long fisherman, and sports enthusiast following the Hawkeyes, Vikings, Orioles, West Lyon, and Heelan. He especially enjoyed attending his childrens and grandchildrens sporting events. He was also knowledgeable in sports fact. In his later years he developed a great interest in the American Eagle, visiting their various natural habitats with his wife, Sheri. He also enjoyed feeding, watching, and photographing the birds in his yard and elsewhere. He shared his love of eagles and birds with his Grandma Rose. Randy is survived by his wife, Sheryl Smith of Alvord, IA; sons, Ramone Simmons of Nashville, TN and Christopher Hofer and Caitlyn of Sioux City, IA; daughters, Shaunta (Doyle) Thorne, and Keisha (Peter) Brummel all of Rock Valley, IA; and Shiri (Josh) Borman of Rock Rapids, IA; 13 grandchildren; parents, Larry and Pat Smith of Sioux City, IA; brother, Gary (DeAnne) Smith of Sioux City; sisters, Nancy (Dan) Socknat and Christa Smith all of Sioux City; brothers, Tim (Allison) Smith of Urbandale, IA and Tony Smith of Sioux City, IA; maternal grandma, Rose Pearson of Bronson, IA and paternal grandpa, Bill Searls of Sioux City, IA; nieces, nephews and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by, maternal grandpa, Elmer Pearson; and paternal grandparents, Ray Smith and Lena (Smith) Searls; father-in-law, Teunis Rozeboom and sister-in-law, Bernice Rozeboom. In Lieu of flowers, family requests Memorials.