Randy Gene Feighner

Randy Gene Feighner, 62, passed away on September 26, 2020, at his home In Falls City, Ne. He was born February 3, 1958, in Falls City NE, to Barbara (Hihath) (Feighner) Werner.

Randy was raised in Falls City and was a 1977 graduate of Falls City Sr High School. He was a proud member of the Tiger football and wrestling team. Randy joined the United States Marine Corps on May 31, 1977, on the buddy system with Jerry Simpson and Mike Strecker, both of Falls City. Randy attended Basic training with his buddies at Camp Pendleton in California. Randy was stationed after basic graduation at the Marine Corps Air Station in Mokapu Penisula on the Northeastern coast of the island of Oahu, in the city and county of Honolulu, Hawaii. Randy’s Military Occupation Specialty was a 2512 Wireman. His duties consisted of constructing, operation and maintaining wire networks to link key outposts, control points, and headquarters with reliable paths of transmission both on land and at sea. Randy served a total of one year two months and 27 days out to sea while on active duty. Randy served at sea during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, which started November 4, 1979, in which radical Iranian students took over the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran, and held 52 Americans Hostage for 444 days. He served on the USS Vancouver, which is a Raleigh class amphibious transport dock deployed to the Western Pacific in the Indian Ocean between August 8, 1980, and October 11, 1980. He also served on the USS Okinawa, which was an amphibious assault ship that was deployed to the Indian Ocean on the coast of Iran, awaiting the release of those hostages. Randy often shared the cheers and noise of celebration he heard while on the ship when the Hostages were released on January 20, 1981, minutes after President Ronald Regan was sworn into office. Randy served through February 5, 1981, at which time he changed to reserve status through December 30, 1982. Randy received the Rifle Marksman Badge, Letter of appreciation, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Mast, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

After he was discharged, Randy moved to Odessa, Texas, and worked as chief technician for Capitol City, Cable vision from 1981 – 1987. He then moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, where he worked for Bill Mar Construction from 1987-1992, playing an intricate part of building over 50 small-town cable systems. In 1992 he moved to Biloxi Mississippi, where he worked for McCall Crew boats in Intercoastal City, Louisiana. He eventually moved to Gulfport, Mississippi, and worked for Fred Goodin, an antique car enthusiast, as his right-hand man. In 2000 Randy moved back to Falls City, where he worked various jobs in the surrounding area and eventually worked for Joe Godemann for many years as a handyman for his many properties. Randy’s health began to fail in 2011 and was diagnosed in 2014 with lung cancer, which he has been battling since that time. In 2020 he was diagnosed with kidney cancer as well. Randy enjoyed going to Falls City Tiger football games, camping, fishing, reading and watching sports. He was a loyal fan of the Pittsburg Steelers and Nebraska Cornhuskers. 

Randy is survived by his Mother, Barbara Werner of Falls City, brothers Darrold and Terry Feighner both of Falls City, sisters Debra Garza and her husband Domingo of Odessa, Texas, April Butrick and her husband Clayton of Falls City, Diana Munford and her husband Jack of Falls City as well as several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews in Nebraska, Missouri and Texas. Randy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Esther and Dean Feighner, grandparents, Leonard and Lucille Hihath, and brother Jerry Feighner.

Due to COVID and honoring Randy’s wishes, a graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2020, at Steele Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. with Chaplain Doug Delhay officiating. The Falls City Honor Guard will conduct military graveside honors.

Social Media