Randall Kristofferson

1941-2020

Posted

Dr. Randall Ray Kristofferson, 79, Mexico, passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, 2020, at the Arbors at Lakeview Bend in Mexico after a valiant fight with Alzheimer’s Disease.

He was born July 20, 1941, to Albert and Carrie Ann Kristofferson, in a farm house in rural Vandalia.

He was united in marriage to Betty Hemme, in December of 1965.

Randall was a 1959 graduate of Van-Far High School. He received a bachelor degree and teaching certificate from Missouri Valley College. He received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri in 1967 and a Doctor of Education Degree from St. Louis University in 1980. Randall spent 35 years in public education, teaching math and coaching basketball at St. Louis Public Schools’ O’Fallon Tech, serving five years as principal of Elsberry High School, serving as assistant principal and athletic director at Bayless High School in south St. Louis County, serving as Superintendent of Schools at Grandview School District in Jefferson County. During his 13-year tenure at Grandview, he transformed the district from an elementary district to a K-12 district and built a high school. He later moved to Owensville, where he served as Superintendent of Schools for four years, and later to Viburnum in the Ozarks, where he served an additional four years before retiring from education. After retirement, he coached junior high football and basketball at Van-Far Schools.

Randall served as an elder, deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher and on numerous committees in the several churches he attended over the years. Along with wife, Betty, he volunteered at the Missouri Department of Corrections Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia, teaching bible studies and leading worship and the Agape Festival held annually during the Christmas season. He served as associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Vandalia for four years and later became a member of Centennial Baptist Church. Following retirement, he and wife, Betty, built a home on the family farm.

He was preceded in death by parents, Albert and Carrie.

He is survived by wife, Betty; sons, Bryce, Brock and Brett; daughter-in-law, Kara; and three grandchildren, one grandson-in-law, and one great-grandson.

Visitation will be held (today) Wednesday, Dec. 30, beginning at noon at Centennial Baptist Church in Mexico with funeral services following from 2-3 p.m. Burial will follow at Vandalia Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Arnold Funeral Home, Mexico.