Randy J. Deem, 69, of Clymer, unexpectedly died at his home, Friday, July 14, 2023.
Born August 5, 1953 in Wilkinsburg, he was a son of the late Albert Ray Deem and Ethel G. (Bender) Deem. He was the husband of Carolyn (Blazavich) Deem, whom he married August 25, 1984.
Randy was a 1971 graduate of Plum Boro High School. He finished heavy equipment training that same year. He was later employed by Beckwith Machinery, later known as Cleveland Brothers. He became their CSA Coordinator and worked for the company until his retirement in October 2020.
He was a former Clymer Borough Council Member and a former Council President, serving 12 years on council. He was also a member of the F&AM Acacia Lodge # 355 of Blairsville.
Randy was the kind of man you wanted to be friends with. He was calm, yet confident and always carried a smile that made you wonder if he was in on a joke that you weren’t aware of. He was a woodworking craftsman who remodeled much of his own home. He admired clocks and pocket watches and was a collector of many things. He knew the importance of enjoying the simpler things in life, like on the first day of deer season, he always looked forward to eating his leftover turkey sandwich from Thanksgiving dinner. When it came to eating pie, he liked both kinds, hot and cold. Randy also loved ice cream, a treat he enjoyed at home the night before he passed.
Randy was always fun to be around. He was actually good at singing karaoke. Two of his favorite karaoke songs were Piano Man and You Look Wonderful Tonight, which he would often sing to Carolyn. He always had fun as the auctioneer at the Blazavich Family Reunion. He also liked to shoot pool with his grandsons in the Deer Barn.
Randy loved the U.S.A., just about anything red white and blue. He had a love and admiration of the American Bald Eagle. The only thing he loved more than his country was his family. He was a devout husband to Carolyn for nearly 40 years. He loved all four of his children by marriage with every fiber of his being. He also had a special place in his heart for his grandkids who called him their “Poppy”. He is deeply missed by his four-legged member of the family, Miss Willow, his beloved dog.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn and the following children: Karrie Prokopchak (Richard), Mt. Vernon, OH; Rebecca Hightower (Neil), Sunbury, OH; Meri McCracken Woods (fiancé Rodney States), Clymer; Steven McCracken (Jacqueline), Indiana. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Mary Blazavich, Clymer; brothers, Russell Deem (Janice), Inverness, FL; Ray Deem (Bonnie), Penn Twp.
His grandchildren are: Alyssa Stokes & fiancé Zak Mullen; Jakeb Prokopchak; Hannah Richardson (Mason); Adalyn Valenti & fiancé Jeremy Kline; Seth James; Rhyan McCracken; Izabellah Woods; and Brady Woods. Great grandchildren are: Khloe; Eli; Ari; Thea; Graham; Hadley and a great granddaughter who will be here in November. Other family members include nephews Nathan, and Ben Deem; nieces, Lori and Kim; a special aunt, Marion Walker and several other nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his grandson, Lukas Stokes and father-in-law, John Blazavich.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory, 655 Franklin St., Clymer. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 19th at the funeral home with the Rev. Bruce Shannon, officiating. Burial at Church of the Resurrection Cemetery, Clymer.
Online condolences may be offered at rbfh.net .
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