Many thanks are needed.  

This party couldn’t have been possible without Shevaun Williams and Terence Heckart for providing us the space, and opening up her photography studio for our celebration. We felt welcomed, and it was the perfect place to display art, and have music, food and drinks. Also coordinating all of this while they were traveling abroad. 

 

Coral and I had a few weeks to plan the event, and with the help of the Normanites, all went smoothely. We created a website, www.randyhackler.com, a facebook event page and opened up Randy’s facebook to friends (he only had Coral and I as his friends) We made a flier to handout, and a video with movies and slides for people to watch. Coral wrote a beautiful obituary, edited with the help of Bru, the shortened version in the Norman transcript and the full version appearing in the Jackson Hole News. Word travels fast through the Norman grapevine.

 

The setup crew was so much help, Terence helped to coordinate the whole setup, and our Colorado crew helped to knocked it out, with Coral, Casey, Ceirra hanging art, James, Matthew, Charlie, Nathan, Kyle, and Michael setting up tables and chairs, Liz and Betty coordinating the food area. David Steely setting up the sound, Karen Hardwick bringing tasty treats, and others bringing in food throughout the night.Randy Moore sent a beautiful bouquet, and Trudy brought some flowers for the tables…. and the stage was set! 

 

We started out the evening with Coral at the door greeting everyone.  She said that it was strange to think that at her father’s “funeral” she smiled so much that her jaw hurt.  I know that made Randy happy, too. 

 

We saw so many old friends, and met many new ones. Friends of Randy’s from childhood, from art school, family friends, and more friends from his Norman life. We had friends from Jackson Hole, Bob Swanson, and Tom Ostrowski (NY, now) who were really glad they came to see the “other side” of Randy and meet all of his long-time friends they had heard so much about throught the years. Liz, James’ mom, came in from Connecticut, and Pam came in from Bellingham, WA,  and many friends came in from Colorado, many who consider Randy part of their extended family, as he spent much time there, too, over the years. 

 

I started the memorial with some introductions, and many thanks….

 

First to Trudy and Don in helping Coral and I to keep Randy comfortable in his final days, and for taking such good care of his father, Hack. And to Hack for opening up his home for Coral and I to “take care of his boy”.  Then to James Ceceil for getting Randy to the doctors and getting Coral and I out to Oklahoma as soon as possible. Mary and Greg Matoon for the best suppot we could ask for in our hospice setting.  Rusty and Lynde for food, and helping us set a peaceful tone for Randy’s transition, and the wonderful spiritual ceremony we had for his release. And all of the people who came by to see Randy his final weeks and bringing us food, supplies, photos, and good cheer, it was truly helpful for Coral and I while taking tender care of Randy. 

 

Then the love of Randy’s life, his Cory, spoke and mdae everyone laugh and cry with her touching words.  Viki and Rusty each spoke dearly of their love for Randy, capturing the essence of his time on earth and the love he was always giving and receiving.