Paul Allen Randles, 65

Paul Allen Randles, 65, of Hooper, CO unexpectedly passed from this life on January 13th, 2019 at the family home in Hooper.  Paul was born in Denver, CO on November 28th, 1953 to Burr and Marjorie (Lewis) Randles.  Paul grew up on the family farm in Hooper where his father raised sheep and grew hay, and Paul was expected to pitch in on work and earn his keep.  On September 15th, 1973 Paul married his high school sweetheart, Wynell Mortensen, in Sanford, CO.  After their marriage, Paul and Wynell started a family near Hooper, breaking out brush quarters and growing potatoes, grain, and hay as well as raising cattle and sheep.  In 1991 Paul experienced a renal disease that was causing failure which would have led to his untimely death, but thankfully his younger brother Steve had one to spare.  Later in life Paul purchased land near Urracca and spent many summers at “the cabin” cutting firewood, cooking food, and wondering about the weather.  Paul enjoyed all things relating to the outdoors – fishing, hunting, arrowhead finding, and sitting by the camp fire.  He could rarely stop himself from driving fast cars as fast as they would go and slow cars the same way, yet somehow Paul only ended up with a few speeding tickets.  He was also an avid sports fan, his greatest enjoyment being NASCAR races on Sunday afternoons.  Paul was an extraordinary cook, and with his passing there will be something lost to the art of preparing excellent “greasy sheep meat.” The rest of the time you could find Paul watching western movies or series, usually knowing the names of all the actors, even the obscure ones.  Although Paul suffered tragedies and losses in his life, he never lost the caring and honest spirit that made him a unique man.  You could recognize his gravelly voice or booming laugh from across a noisy restaurant, at which point you hoped you were on his good side.  He was a man who said what he meant, meant what he said, and could always be counted on to help friends or family who needed him.  He will be dearly missed.

Paul is survived by his wife of 45 years, Wynell, as well as his daughter Erin (Joe) Aldrich of Mosca and son Clayton Randles of Hooper.  He leaves behind three grandchildren who thought the world of him - Emma Wolfe, Christian Wolfe, and Malachi Aldrich.  He is also survived by his mother Marjorie Randles of Parker, CO brother Steve Randles of Parker, CO and Brother Bart (Janet) Randles of Denver, CO.  He is preceded in death by two sons, Jason and Clint Randles, brother Brian Randles, and father Burr Randles.

At Paul’s request there will not be a formal service, however family and friends are invited to attend a remembrance party on Saturday, January 19th between 1 pm and 4 pm at the Mosca Methodist Church Annex.  Light refreshments will be provided.  Stop by early or late, and the only price of admission is a funny story about Paul.  Mild profanity will not only be tolerated, but encouraged.

Strohmayer’s Funeral Home in Monte Vista is in care of the arrangements.