In Loving Memory Of

Kenneth "Randy" Randall Harter Jr

Kenneth Randall Harter, Jr. Called Ken by most, but known as Randy to family and close friends, Rudy to his sisters and a few nieces and nephews due to a teen escapade he had with alcohol consumption, and as Ken-Randy to a close friend who in the beginning wondered if Elaina was married to two men as she knew Elaina was married to Ken, but she kept referring to her husband as Randy.

Randy was born December 31st 1954 to Kenneth (Ken) R. Harter, Sr. and Stella Marion (Smith) Harter in Seattle, WA, and passed away December 11, 2024, in Ione, WA, days before his 70th birthday and just 1 day after his and Elaina's 49th wedding anniversary.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Ken, Sr. and Marion Harter. His best friends in high school and through life- Lorne Howe and Andy Stole. Jurgen Thiede his best friend, (like a brother) as well as his fishing and hunting buddy. And his friend Harry Peasner as well as Bobby Enyeart. He left behind his wife of 49 years, Elaina, (affectionately called by him, Laine or Lainy) their three children, Danyeal Parke, Kenneth Randall Harter, III (Kenae) and Lorna Morgan. Randy was most proud of his 13 grandchildren, (which included two through his son's marriage) and 6 great grandchildren. Alexandria Thomasson, (Alex T) and her husband, Jake Johnson,

Jordan Parke and his fiancé, Nataleigh and their two sons, Lincoln and Hudson. Isabella Parke, Mauriah Parke, Faith Elaine (Harter) Kowalski and her two children, Ezra and Guinevere. Mechelle Harter, Kaitlyn (Reed) Seagraves, Mikayla Reed, Tyler Harter, Kennedi Harter. Kaylee May (Morgan) Sabin and her husband Logan Sabin with their two sons, Levi and Lane. Rylee Jean Morgan and Noah Lee Morgan. He also leaves behind his sisters. Kathy and her husband Jerry Freyburg, (His favorite brother-in-law). Janette Shadwick and Teri Wing as well as many nieces and nephews. Randy joined the Army right out of high school and went through basic training but was honorably discharged for medical conditions. For a very short time he worked as a choke setter for a logging company. He moved to Metaline Falls and became a miner until he was involved in a bore hole loading explosion almost losing his life. The loss of his right eye and a steel plate placed in his jaw were the result of this accident. He then came home and met Elaina for the second time and they were married two months later on December10, 1975. Right after marriage he became a journeyman electrician working for and taught by his best friend, (Lorne's) father and Elaina's uncle, Marion Howe.

Randy's father had been and was proud of his former membership and training in the Army Corp. of Engineers #808. It was this training that he utilized when he started a wire manufacturing business making Randy the owner in 1982. Thus began Randy's many years as a business owner in partnership with his parents learning the machinist trade until his forced retirement when he became ill.

Randy had a multifaceted and unique personality. Mostly opinionated, usually being insistand that it was his way or the highway, mostly with family and loved ones. Some of his favorite sayings were, "And you can take that to the bank!" or "There are no free lunches." But what he was best known for was his generosity of heart. He was persistent in trying to be there and help the people he liked, cared for and loved, especially his family, no matter what. He went the extra mile to make sure his parents and his mother and father-in-law were cared for as they became older.

I know he was well liked and loved much more than he realized by many more than he ever knew. He is and will be forever missed.

A memorial will be held in the spring. Time and place to be determined and announced at a later date.