Jerry "Randy" Randal Laffoon

It is with the deepest of sorrow that we mourn the passing of Jerry Randal “Randy” Laffoon. Randy passed from this life at the age of 60 on September 23, 2020. He was born on August 11, 1960 to Jerry and Kay Laffoon of Norman, Oklahoma. He married the love of his life Debbie Wilson Laffoon in 1991 and enjoyed 29 years together. He was a loving and caring husband and father always put his family first. Randy is survived by his wife Debbie, their sons Jerry Trevor Laffoon and Trenton Wilson Laffoon, parents Jerry and Kay Laffoon, brother Todd Laffoon and his wife Kim, his son Kai and step daughters Kenzie and Katie of Wichita, Kansas and Mother-in-law Ruby Wilson of Denton, Texas. He also leaves behind his godchildren Bekham and Rowynn Rother, with their parents Don and Shar, and the rest of his chosen family. Randy has had many titles in his life; father, son, husband, brother, coach, leader, servant, friend, and chairman. Randy’s passion was the relationships he had with people. He collected people and considered each of them a friend.

Randy graduated from Norman High School in 1978 and received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The University of Oklahoma in 1982. As a businessman, Randy managed the Desk Set in Sooner Fashion Mall, and pioneered the cellular telephone industry through the 1990s, operating Norman Cellular and Metro Cellular stores. They were among the first mobile phone retailers in Norman and the Oklahoma City area. His business focus eventually moved to radio and print media communications. He was the owner of Norman based KREF SportsTalk 1400 radio, and owner of Boyd Street, Norman’s oldest community magazine, as well as 19th Street Magazine. Randy was also a long time member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church with Pastor Bob Long.

Community service came naturally for Randy. He led a life of leadership in the community and lived to serve and commune with his neighbors. His greatest contributions to Norman and his community were his influence and ability to work behind the scenes. To say he was an active civic leader would be an understatement. It is stunning to see the immense impact he had on the city of Norman. Randy served on the following boards and committees:

• Norman Chamber of Commerce

• Executive Committee of the Norman Public Schools Foundation and Chair of the foundations corporate giving program

• Chair of the United Way campaign for 2003, 2009, 2013, and 2020

• 2020 Recipient of the Kathey Drummond United Way Award

• President, Past-president and President-elect of Oklahoma Celtic

• Past President of Norman Rotary Club and is a Paul Harris Fellow within the club

• Recipient of the Assistance League’s Red Star Award

• The only person to ever serve two terms as a Chairman for the Norman Regional Health Foundation, which he led to their largest project to date called the Highway to Health Campaign raising $3 million for the Norman Regional Healthplex construction project

• Recipient of the OU Alumni Regent Award

• The Oklahoma Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Recognizing him with its 2007 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award.

Randy raised nearly $2 million more for renovation work at other health and medical rehabilitation facilities.

Randy’s greatest joy were his sons Trevor and Trent. Not many people can successfully balance family, business, and community endeavors like Randy did. Trevor and Trent played multiple sports growing up, the first of which was Randy’s first love, baseball. Prior to having his boys, Randy coached many young men in this community. Randy also coached the boys through NYSA playing soccer. He thrived the most when he was coaching. He enjoyed mentoring and investing in others and his greatest joy was when it was with Trent and Trevor and their friends. Around fifteen years ago the boys began playing competitive soccer, and Randy was known as “the soccer guy”. It became quite the joke for those who knew how invested he previously was in baseball. Trevor played on the ’93 team, Trent played on the ’95 team, and they both had careers at ORU. Even when playing in Tulsa, Randy didn’t miss a camp or game. He was committed to them. No matter the cost.

Randy loved being a husband and was deeply devoted to Deb. He loved traveling with her and sharing in the sporting ventures that centered around Trent and Trevor. He loved grilling out on the patio and just hanging out with family and friends with Deb by his side. He was always supportive of her business ideas and so grateful that she supported him in a way that allowed him to serve others like he did.

As we reflect on what Randy was to so many of us, we hope you take your favorite things about him and implement those into your everyday life. Randy was the guy who changed the countenance of a room by simply walking in it. He had the “it” factor that is hard to come by, but his qualities are something we can all strive to “be” to others. Randy did everything with excellence, knowing that success would eventually come as a result. As difficult as Randy’s passing is, we celebrate and are confident in knowing that RaRa rests with our Lord and Savior, and has been completely healed. He would want each of you to know, “I appreciate the effort.”

Service will be held at Harve Collins Stadium on Monday, September 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to one of the following foundations:

Norman Regional Health Foundation

PO Box 1665

Norman, OK 73070

WWW.NRHFOUNDATION.ORG

Norman Public School Foundation

131 S. Flood Avenue

Norman, OK 73069

405-366-5947

WWW.NPSFOK.COM