Randall “Randy” Movchan Sr. went to his eternal home in Heaven on Saturday, October 3, 2020. He passed at home after a valiant battle against stage 4 lung cancer, with his daughter and trusty employee Robert, by his side as he took his last breath. Randy’s Funeral Service will be at 2 p.m., Friday, October 9, 2020 at The Refuge Church, Dickinson. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Randy, a triplet, was born in Minot on August 18, 1952. He and sister Sandy survived and they continued to have a close relationship their entire lives. Randy’s growing up years were tough, having to learn hard life lessons at a young age, but it only pushed him to be the hard worker and great provider that he was. He was mentored by a man, Sam Yechoshenko, who took the time to believe in him and Randy forever held him in high regard. From these humble beginnings, Randy vowed to make a better life for himself.
He met Kathleen Keeler in 1971 in Bismarck. They married the next year and had their first son, Travis. Randy also obtained his Auto Body training at Bismarck Junior College. That was a passion of his that he did off and on throughout his life, but his real love was the oilfield. Now living in Fairview, Mont., they had their second son, Randall Jr. in 1975, where Randy had been in his Oil Field career doing workover rigs, eventually moving on to becoming a Pumper. In 1983, they “finally got their girl” as Randy said, naming her Jewel. A few years later, the family was moved to South Heart because of the oil boom, where Randy’s heart settled and he was truly in his element as a Pumper for Columbus Energy.
Many years later, he started contract Pumping through Slawson Exploration, under his own company which he named White Owl Pumping, as he considered them one of God’s most beautiful creations. He continued with them for 25 years, while operating his auto body shop in South Heart, where all his business was from word of mouth. After his time with Slawson, he moved on to Consulting for several different Oil companies, the most recent of which was Prima, until he was forced to end his career with a broken heart. Randy absolutely loved his job, the people, the work, the atmosphere, the rush and the fast life of all that is the Oil Field. He always said “Every day is different and every day is a challenge”.
Randy also had a community of amazing friends who became family. He became a fixture at the IDK in South Heart, with his specific seat named “The Corner of Knowledge” where he shared his wisdom and crass jokes, dry sayings and real life advice. He was vested as an honorary member in the Bad Pennies Riding Club, a bucket list wish he had. They were his family, they were there until the end. Randy had a huge heart for others, buying groceries, helping with fundraising, borrowing out money for someone down on their luck. Randy was a special guy, he paved his own path and always told it like it was, even if it hurt. He wasn’t one to back down, he knew what he knew and he wouldn’t budge. He will be sorely missed by many.
Randy is survived by his three children, Travis (Michelle), Randy Jr. (Justine), and Jewel. He has six beloved grandchildren, Nick and Nora, Kalyn and Maddy, & Deklen and Avalon. Siblings are Sandy and Ed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Hilma; an infant triplet; sisters, Liz and Melody; and brothers, Doug and Guy.
