Randy Dean Priest, 67, of Trinway, Ohio passed away suddenly Wednesday evening December 30, 2020 at Genesis Hospital Emergency Department in Zanesville, Ohio.
Born April 19, 1953 in Zanesville he was a son of the late James Richard and Dorotha (Wolford) Priest and was a 1971 graduate of Tri-Valley High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1976 from West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. While at West Liberty he was a decorated member of the Hilltoppers football team and was a member of the Chi Nu Fraternity.
Randy was a Physical Education instructor for Tri-Valley Schools for two years and then he continued his career as a truck driver for En-Link/Ohio Oil Gatherings Company of Black Run, a position from which he retired in April, 2020 after over 40 years of service.
Randy attended Frazeysburg United Methodist Church, was very active in the community as a former member of the Frazeysburg Volunteer Fire Department and as a former Cass Township trustee. A true Tri-Valley football fan, he was a member of the “Chain Gang” at home games for many years. He was especially committed to helping children. He co-founded and was an advisor of the Scotties Pals & Gals 4-H Club and was one of the original organizer’s of the Tri-Valley Youth Soccer League. Along with soccer he also coached youth softball, baseball and football.
Randy’s commitment to our community and its youth was a treasure to us all. He will be remembered as a great neighbor with a friendly smile, a man who never met a stranger and was always willing to visit and carry on a conversation. With all this said, Randy would be the very first to tell you that the most treasured and proudest things in his life was his wife, his children and his grandchildren. Family was “Number One”.
Surviving is his loving wife of 44 years, Paula R. “Polly” (Vickers) Priest whom he married August 7, 1976. Together they had the big family they always dreamed of, which included five daughters, Sarah (Keith) Merce of Dresden, Emily Priest of Zanesville, Molly Priest of Trinway, Rachel (Tyler) Watson of Frazeysburg and Lauren (Eric) Reed of Zanesville; one son, and his best friend, Caleb (Whittney) Priest of Frazeysburg; and nine grandchildren, Kamryn Merce, Elijah, Ean, Easton and Erikson Priest, Owen and Amelia Watson, Pearl Priest and Avery Reed. Also surviving are three brothers, including his twin brother, Rick (Becky) Priest of Frazeysburg, Jim Priest of Frazeysburg and Tom (Cathy) Priest of Washington, Pennsylvania; three sisters, Carla (Fred) Bennett of Frazeysburg, Judy (Richard) Goetz and Christy (Rick) Lacy, both of Dresden; a sister in-law, Sandy Priest of Heath, Ohio and nearly 100 nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Chuck Priest; his father in-law and mother in-law, Virgil and Idamae Vickers; a sister in-law, Annie Priest and a brother in-law, Michael Brennen.
Calling hours were 2pm to 8pm Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at the Frazeysburg Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home, 110 West Third Street.
Funeral services were held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at the Frazeysburg United Methodist Church, 87 West Second Street with Pastor John Kay officiating.
Burial was in Frazeysburg Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
