Randall Blair Ashby 1952-2021

Randall Blair Ashby
1952-2021

Randall Blair Ashby died unexpectedly Friday, March 19, 2021. Randy was born in Gatesville, Texas on January 27, 1952 to Paul and Eleanor Ashby, the third of four boys. He was a 6th generation Texan. His mother's family, the Blairs, arrived in 1845, and the Ashby family in 1854. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School in North Dallas in 1970, and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a B.B.A. in Marketing with honors. He went on to study law and received his J.D. degree from the University of Houston Bates College of Law.
Waiting for his bar results, he worked at a restaurant as a server, the job that was the most consequential of his life. It was there that he met Mary. They married in 1982 and joyfully welcomed Timothy Andrew in 1989 and Matthew Paul in 1996. Randy loved Mer and their boys more than anything, especially cherishing their time camping and hiking together in the Texas Hill Country.

Upon graduating from law school, Randy worked as an attorney with the City of Houston Prosecutor's Office, then practiced law at Ross Banks. He was a partner at Waldron & Schneider for 28 years, joining the firm shortly after it was founded.

Randy was very active in his community, serving on the boards of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the Armand Bayou Nature Center, and was a member of The O.N.E. Group.

Randy's love of singing started early when he and his brothers would harmonize together as a family. His beautiful tenor voice was enjoyed by the members of St. Rose of Lima and St. Clare of Assisi Catholic parishes. He was also a former member of the Houston Choral Society.
Randy is survived by Mary, his loving wife of almost 39 years; sons, Timothy (fiancée Angela), and Matthew; brothers, Jerry Ashby and his wife, Sharon, and Doug Ashby and his wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Tina Ashby; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Therese Behrendt, Margaret and Ben Denson, Gary and Kuniko Wahlen, Joanne and Robert Johnson, David Wahlen, and Lissa Goodwin. He is also survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eleanor and Paul Ashby: brother, Wendell Ashby, aunts Doris Denman and Roberta Powell; his father and mother-in-law, Hank and Gloria Wahlen; and brothers-in-law, Greg Goodwin and Frank Behrendt.

Randy was an honorable man whose faith guided him throughout his life. His gentle nature and big hugs will be missed by all.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, April 9, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, in Houston Texas.
If desired, donations can be made to: Armand Bayou Nature Center, PO Box 58828, Houston, TX. 77258; Birthright of Houston, 1200 Blalock Rd. Ste. 104, Houston, TX. 77055; or Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2914 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX. 75204; or a charity of your choice.
For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit josephjearthman.com.

Stephen Michael Johnson

Steven Michael Johnson, age 68, passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2020, after a hard-fought battle against cancer and accompanying health issues. Steve was born in Kansas City, MO to Charles and Anna Lee Johnson on December 10, 1951. He Spent his childhood all over the Midwest until settling in Dallas, TX for his best high school years. There he was a proud member of the Lake Highlands Wildcat Football Team and graduated with the class of 1970.

After high school Steve attended UTA in Texas before moving to California where he majored in English Literature at US Santa Barbara. He was born bibliophile with a true passion for book and poetry. His other great love was music. Steve loved discovering new bands/singers/song writer before they were famous. If you asked him, he basically discovered Bruce Springsteen.

In 1978 Steve bought a lawnmower which led to the establishment of Steve Johnson Landscaping and a successful 40 year career creating natural works of art to bring to people joy. He was meticulous with his work and enjoyed getting to know his customers. His earliest business cards offered “Intellectual Conversation Free of Charge!” Steve loved nothing more than meaningful conversations and making other laugh with his quirky sense of humor.

He loved his landscaping business and being part of his community. For many years, Steve enjoyed teaching citizenship and landscaping classes at night through the South Bay Adult School. He was also an active member of AA for decades and treasured his “Manly Man” meetings as he called them. Our family would like to thank his AA family, especially his sponsor, for saving and supporting him; you helped him to feel a part of something much bigger than himself.

in 2011, Steve was diagnosed with Throat cancer. He endured unforgiving treatment and went into remission, but it left his body vulnerable to complications. He fought incredibly hard for his daughter, for his sisters and for time with his granddaughter. When he had exhausted his body and spirit, Steve passed away at home comfortably and peacefully, just the way he wanted.

Our Dad was not a religious man, but if we were to paint a picture of heaven for him, it would consist of: great literature, the perfect cup of coffee, a vast record collection, long meandering drives, strolls through botanical gardens, the Browns winning the Super Bowl, visits with friends and family, and more time with his granddaughters. We love him and will forever miss him, his humor, his illness… he was one of a kind. He was ours.

Steve will be missed by sisters Linda, Judy and Jennifer; daughters Corie (Kyle) and Stephanie, and grand daughters Wyatt and Heidi.

Steve McGowan In Memory

“Two weeks ago my father, Stephen E McGowan, Lake Highlands class of 1970,  was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.  Little did we know that today we would be planning his funeral. 💔 Last week he declined very quickly, and peacefully passed Saturday evening with my brother, sister in-law, and I by his side.  

For those who knew my dad or would like to attend to offer their support to our family in this difficult time, the funeral will take place in the Trinity Garden of Restland Cemetery with a Celebration of Life to take place at my brothers residence in Plano after.  

Restland Cemetery
Thursday, January 30th at 11am
13005 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75243

Memorial Service will be held in the Trinity Garden across the street from the Restland Funeral Home.  
If you cannot make the memorial service, and would like to join for the Celebration of Life, please send me a message for more information.  

In lieu of flowers, we ask to help us continue to fight this awful disease by kindly making a donation to the American Cancer Society on his behalf.  This post will be updated with a direct link to his fundraising page once it has been furnished to us by the organization.” Steve’s Daughter