Randolph O. "Randy" Jones

Randolph O. “Randy” Jones, 70, of La Crosse, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021, at the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

He was born June 28, 1951, in Richland Center, Wis., to Harlan and Christine (Anderson) Jones. He graduated from Kickapoo High School and later received an Associate Degree from W.W.T.I. in La Crosse. On April 25, 1981, Randy married Marilyn Dwyer in La Crosse.

Randy is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children, Nick Jones of Minneapolis and Casi (Ryan) Rochester of La Crosse; and his grandchildren, Beckett, Hudson and Maguire Jones, and Jameson and Bennett Rochester. He is further survived by a sister, Cheryl Jones of Readstown, Wis.; a sister-in-law, Shirley Jones of Viroqua; and nieces and nephews as well as many extended family members on the Dwyer side. Randy was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Roger Jones.

Randy worked as an EEG technician in the Neurology Department at Gundersen Clinic for many years. He then worked as a pharmacy tech until his retirement in 2013. Over the years he also moonlighted as a bartender at Teddy Bears.

Randy’s warm-hearted personality touched so many people over the years. He always knew what to say and how to say it. Whether it was giving advice or telling a Dad joke, his loving nature helped build long-lasting friendships over the years.

Randy was an avid sports fan. He loved all his hometown teams, especially the Brewers, Packers and Badgers. Anytime there was a golf tournament on, both he and his son Nick would stop to watch it. Randy’s love of baseball led him to playing softball almost nightly in several leagues around the city for many years.

Whenever someone picked up a deck of cards, Randy was ready to play - whether it be poker, cribbage, euchre, rummy, or solitaire. He especially enjoyed his Friday night poker club.

Following retirement, he took up “golfing” to fill in his free time. He would head out to the golf course with his friends and instruct them on their technique from his golf cart, while collecting golf balls on the course along the way.

The light of Randy’s life was his grandchildren. He loved playing games with them. They never left the house empty handed, pockets overflowing with money and candy. He also loved his granddogs – spoiling them when they came over with treats and love.

Of all the things Randy was known for, his family was the most important thing in his life. He loved vacations with his wife and their friends. He never missed his childrens’ activities and was always there to encourage them and believe in them. No matter what, Randy was the safe place for his family to land when times were tough.

If Randy had one piece of advice to give the world, it would be this: always eat something before you take ibuprofen.

A gathering for family and friends will be held from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 3 ^rd , at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse. Time will be set aside for personal tributes and sharing memories of Randy beginning at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, any memorials given will be donated in Randy’s memory.