Randy L. Brown

     Randy L. Brown, 73, of Labadie, passed away on January 8, 2023. Randy, son of the late Ransome Brown and Lois nee House, was born on January 9, 1949 in Springfield, MO. He graduated from Washington High School and Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, where he completed a graduate degree in criminal justice. On February 28, 1971, he was united in marriage to Margit Noelke.

     Randy served as a trooper in the Missouri State Highway Patrol for five years before moving back to Washington in 1979 to take over his family’s shoe store, a business that he expanded to include New Balance stores in St. Louis, Branson, Overland Park, Kansas, and Fairview Heights, Illinois. He loved our community and served as president of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Washington. In 1982 Randy became a member of the National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA) and served 20 years on the board of directors. He was named retailer of the year by the organization in 2014. His highest honor came in November 2021 when he was inducted into NSRA’s Hall of Fame. Because Randy appreciated what Boy Scouts had personally done for him in his youth, in his retirement he became involved with the scouting program as Osage District Chairman, Greater St. Louis Area Council.

     Throughout the years, Randy was legendary for his storytelling that brought people together in a real way. His stories were inspiring, well planned, and funny. All who knew him recognized his love for family and friends, as well as his loyalty to God and country.

     Randy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Margit Brown of Labadie; two sons, Chad Brown and wife Melissa of Oakville and Kurt Brown and wife Elizabeth of Labadie; mother and father-in-law, Alfred and Doris Noelke of Washington; sister, Suzanne Brown; grandchildren Sam Brown, Elle Haefner, Ruby Brown, Marshall Brown, Violet Brown, and Ivy Brown; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jerri Hoffmann and husband Dave of St. Albans, Mike Noelke and wife Re-Re of St. Louis, Patty Lamke and husband Sam of Washington, and Tom Noelke and wife Lu Ann of Germantown, TN; other relatives and friends.

     A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Borgia Church. Interment will be private. Memorial donations can be made to STLBSA.org (Osage District Boy Scouts – Greater St. Louis Area Council) or to FranklinCountyCASA.com.

     Arrangements are in care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.

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