Randall “Randy” Edwin Crist

Randall “Randy” Edwin Crist

Cedar Rapids

Randall “Randy” Edwin Crist passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday, November, 8, 2024, His beloved wife of nearly 20 years, Catherine, was by his side. He was born November 20, 1956, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Jean Evelyn (Wood) Crist and Clifford Melvin Crist, who both preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Crist (Deshaies); children, Berlin Crist and Sarah-Elizabeth Deshaies; and preceded in death by his son, Alexander Crist; also surviving are his uncles, Charles (Donna) Wood, Richard (Colleen) Wood, and Dean (Katie) Wood; loving mother-in-law, Jean Michaelis (Tuck); brothers-in-law, Jerry (Carrie) Michaels, Ronnie (Kathy) Michaels, Jonathan (Karie) Michaels; sister-in-law, Jeanne-Marie Fournier; nephews, Raffi and Zachary; nieces, Claire, Julia, Hannah, Willa, and Millie; brother, Grayland (Kathy) Crist; nephew, Josh (Kristi) Crist; nieces, Stacy (Tyler) Edwards, Kayla Crist; many loving cousins, and a broad group of friends ranging from life-long friends and most recent acquaintances.

He was also preceded in death by uncle, Mearl (Berniece) Crist; aunts, Shirley Wood and Joan (Rodger) Brisso; and uncle, Keith (Loretta) Wood.

At a young age, Randy shared a love of music with his mother, and enjoyed working alongside his father on their family farm in Stanwood, Iowa. During high school, Randy was enrolled in many courses at Kirkwood Community College involving Electronics. He attended Kirkwood to begin his Electrical Engineering Degree. At the same time, he also became an Electrical Apprentice until he became a Journeyman. He enrolled at Iowa State University and was a semester away from graduating with his Bachelors in Electrical Engineering when he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Guam as an electronics technician until his honorable discharge. After working at Varian in Palo Alto, California, where he worked on Computer Tomography, Randy returned home to Iowa to be closer to family where he met his loving wife, Catherine, and his children. Randy and Catherine were united in marriage on December 12, 2004. For the last 18 years, Randy has worked as a Senior Electronic Technician at Collins Aerospace. He enjoyed everyone he worked with and is remembered as a positive, kind, and caring person.

As an avid audiophile and musician, Randy played acoustic, classical, and bass guitars in many bands and there was always music playing in the background across multiple genres that he loved to share with everyone. His love of the natural world knew no bounds, he was frequently seen engaging in his hobbies of his where he would take pictures, and enjoyed studying history and family genealogy.

He also enjoyed riding his bicycle and getting up early in the morning to see the sunrise. Randy has always had a special love for animals, he had the gentlest heart, was caring and generous with every being in life. He saw people in the most honest and simplistic way with a focus on their goodness. Despite difficulties in life, he took everything in stride, adapted, and lived his life as full as possible. Anything Randy was interested in, he would study and become an expert through extensive research and attention, until he mastered it. Everyone that knew Randy, knew he was also known for his humor, and was a prankster.

Above all his family came first. He will be remembered as a protector and provider for his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Funeral Service will be on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Please share your support and memories with Randy’s family and check the Service Details on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries or you may call the funeral home.