Randall "Randy" Lee Pirtle

Randall “Randy” Lee Pirtle, 61, of Copan, a longtime area agricultural educator, passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, in Tulsa. Randy was born on June 21, 1962, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Garry Lee Pirtle and Patricia Ann (Gaskill) Waller. Randy attended Mountain View High School, graduating in 1980. During his childhood, he was baptized at the Methodist Church, also in Mountain View, Oklahoma. Randy graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University and later earned his Master’s Degree in Agriculture Education there, as well. He met the love of his life, Susan Thornbrough, on the Ferris Wheel during the Mountain View Fair in 1979. Susan was too young to date and Randy was heading to college. After Randy graduated from OSU, the couple reconnected and a few short months after married on July 31, 1982. To this union, two beautiful daughters were born, Aspen and Cassie. Randy doted on his family and was active in their lives, serving as livestock judging coach for both of his daughters. He and Susan and their girls have raised club lambs for 35 years. They enjoyed family cookouts, and Randy especially loved watching his children and grandchildren play and show sheep. He was a Dallas Cowboys fan and a die-hard OSU Cowboys fan. After finishing college, Randy was employed with OSU Cooperative Extension in Washington County for 32 years and then took the position as the Northeast District Director with OSU until his retirement in 2019. During his distinguished career, Randy received numerous accolades and awards including: 2023 Oklahoma Youth Expo Honoree for the Sirloin Club of Oklahoma, Distinguished Educator for Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension, Oklahoma Honorary FFA Degree, and Oklahoma State University Graduate of Distinction Award. He was a Master Gardener Educator for more than 30 years and was a board member of the American Hampshire Sheep Association. Randy served as superintendent for both the Tulsa State Fair and the Oklahoma Youth Expo for more than 20 years. He was a board member for the Washington County Farm Bureau, Copan School Board of Education and the Washington County Junior Livestock Show Committee for more than 20 years. Needless to say, Randy was very involved in agriculture and youth in agriculture. Randy enjoyed telling stories and ended many conversations with “every day is a gift”. Randy will be truly missed by his family and his community. Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Lela “Susan” Pirtle; two daughters, Aspen Dunkle and husband Brad, and Cassie Green and husband Cory; his mother, Patti Waller and husband J.C.; his father, Garry Pirtle and wife Jeannette; a brother, Tommy Pirtle and wife Dona; four grandchildren, Maverick, Savannah, Tucker, and Bristol; and numerous other family and friends. The family has requested that people wear orange and black to Randy’s memorial service in honor of his love and dedication for Oklahoma State University. Go Pokes! In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Office: Washington County, Attn: Hannah Hough, P.O. Box 10, Dewey, OK 74029. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, August 14, 2023, in the Community Hall of the Bartlesville Community Center, 300 SE Adams Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74003, with Minister Aaron Lawrence officiating. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and Davis Family Funeral Home – Dewey Chapel, 918-534-3030. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Randall "Randy" Lee Pirtle

June 21, 1962 - August 9, 2023