Randall Ray Readinger, age 56, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at the Ft. Scott Mercy Hospital Emergency Room. He was born April 10, 1961, in Ft. Scott, the son of Delbert Readinger and Leota Carpenter Readinger. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1979, while in high school he was on the football and wrestling teams. He later went on to receive both his BA and MBA degrees from Pittsburg State University. He married Betsy Anthon on August 29, 1987, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While in high school, Randall worked hauling hay. Following his education, he moved to Tulsa where he was employed by Arthur Anderson, Transok, and Thrifty Rent-A-Car. He later moved to Pittsburg, Kansas where he served as CFO for Watco. In 2006, the family moved to Ft. Scott where Randall worked as CFO for Ft. Scott Livestock Market and was also the owner of SGT Printing and Promotions. Randall was involved with a number of area civic organizations. He served as Secretary of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Chairman for the Bourbon County Republicans and served as treasurer for several Republican political candidates. He was an active member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and served as treasurer for the Knights of Columbus. He thoroughly enjoyed his life in the country where he enjoyed taking care of his animals and making wine. He was a member of the P.S.U. Rugby team, then later a member of the Tulsa Rugby Club. He also liked to remodel houses and enjoyed recycling and repurposing old items in his restorations.
Survivors include his wife, Betsy, and his three children, Heather, Hayley and Matthew Readinger, all of the home. Also surviving are his mother, Leota McClendon, of Liberal, Missouri; a sister, Debra Martin and husband, Larry and a brother, Loren Readinger and wife, Julie, all of Ft. Scott; a step-brother, Mark McClendon, of Liberal, Missouri, three step-sisters, Lisa McClendon Butts, also of Liberal, Jenet Hill, of Nevada, Missouri and Vicky Ray, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clifford and Betty Jo Anthon, of Neosho, MO and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Delbert and Eva Readinger, step-father, Jim McClendon; step-brother, Lynn McClendon and step-sister, Bonnie Bailey.
Father Robert Wachter will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, January 2 at the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery. The rosary will be recited at 10:00 A.M. prior to the service at the church. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Monday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Catholic Charities or Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
Randall Readinger was my friend and a tireless defender of liberty and freedom. He helped with my campaign over the years and would always give his all in the fight. As a husband and father he was a model of kindness and character at all times. I will miss him dearly. God Bless Him and Keep Him in Heaven!!! Amen
Thank you Jeff, he enjoyed your friendship and loved you too.
We have indeed lost a great man. Deepest sympathy to family and friends.