Randall Cusick

On July 25, 2014, after 65 remarkable years, our beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, friend, and hero, Randall E. Cusick, passed away at home in Orem, Utah, surrounded by his loving family-his courageous battle with cancer finished. A California native, born January 7, 1949, he spent most of his summers outdoors with his brother and cousins in Minersville, Utah. Randy was born for the country and wide open spaces. It has been said by those who knew him best, that he was born 100 years too late. Other than with his family, there was nowhere he would rather be than in the mountains on his horse, fly fishing the Gros Ventre, or camping in the West desert. He shared this love with his wife and children who experienced countless fishing, hunting, camping, horseback, and elk bugling excursions with their admired, outdoor enthusiast. While attending Brigham Young University, Randy met the love of his life, Debra Nelson. Once when asked why he felt God made him wait so long to come to earth, he quietly replied, "I guess He knew I needed Debbie." They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on February 20, 1975, and since then their love for each other has only grown, as Randy recently said, "in leaps and bounds." Together they had five children who adore him. Words cannot express their feelings about their greatest hero, and his reciprocating love for them is immeasurable. Randy was a respected school teacher and basketball coach at Provo High School. His positive influence and lessons taught still affect his former students and players, many whom have kept in touch with him over the years. Randy loved coaching his own sons' basketball teams from grade school until they entered high school and college, when he became their most loyal fan. He was, and will remain, his children's greatest rock-a rock of strength and support. A quiet giant, Randy taught by example through his tremendous work ethic and his selfless acts of service. Most never knew that they had been served by him. He could build, fix, and figure out anything-from building his own home, to untangling a grandchild's fishing line. He could even fix an attitude with a simple, "Toughen up." Randy was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission in the Central States Mission. At the time of his passing he was serving as the bishop of the BYU YSA 71st Ward, a calling which he deeply loved because of the exceptional young men and women with whom he was blessed to work with and cared so much for. Randy is survived by his wife of 40 years, Debbie, 5 children: Cami Hoff (Mike), Kelli Cloward (Craig), Mindi Finlayson (Troy), Chet, and Craig (Sadie), 7 ½ grandchildren: Hunter, Cooper, Emerson, Klancee, Kace, Sophie, Andie, and soon to arrive baby boy, siblings: Dennis, Sharon Kennedy, and Judy Clark. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Bertha Carter Cusick. The family would like to thank their many friends and family for their tremendous amount of love and support. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 31 at 11 am at the Hillcrest 8th Ward Building, 1000 S 800 E in Orem. A viewing will be held Wednesday, July 30 from 6 to 8 pm at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 S State St in Orem, and on the morning of the services from 9:00 to 10:45 am at the church. Interment will be at the East Lawn Cemetery in Provo.

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