Dr. Randall Allen Fish, left for his final adventure on October 8, 2024 - a day that could only have been tailor-made for a man who loved the outdoors. Not a cloud in sight, temperatures hovering below 75, and just the right amount of breeze to keep his signature red hair perfectly tousled.

He is survived by Betty “BJ” Emenhiser Fish, his wife of 52 years, two strong-willed daughters, Tanya Smith (Ryan) and Alexandra Laggner (Gus), Mr. Bingley, an eleven-pound shih-poo, (unmarried at the time of writing), and his six grandkids—Hope, Jack, Tai, Emma, Henry, and Margot— as well as many grandchildren of the furry, four-legged variety.

His grandkids affectionately knew him as “Doc”. Not because of any medical degree, but instead an assortment of others such as a Juris Doctorate, a Doctor of Philosophy, and a Master of Divinity. The kids all agreed his extensive education was sufficient enough that he had absolute, unchallenged authority to determine and distribute however many ice cream bars were necessary for any occasion without consulting their parents.

Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Madison and Betty Haynes Fish, his in-laws, William “Bill” Emenhiser and Gladys Ender Emenhiser, his brothers Donald “Don” Fish (Judy), and Charles “Chuck” Fish. All who welcomed him to the other side with a warm hug and a friendly reminder that he would be leading prayer at the next family reunion. Meanwhile, his surviving siblings—James “Jim” Fish (Lynne), Beth Davis Brookshire (the late Edward “Ed” Davis; Ron), Lisa Paris Fish (Samuel), and Jeffrey “Jeff” Fish (Maura)—have kept up the lifelong spirit of sibling rivalry by outliving him.

Born on August 23, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Madison and Betty Haynes Fish, Randy was part of a robust clan of seven siblings. Although not the firstborn, he certainly didn’t fly under the radar. He commanded most spaces he entered, usually with a joke or a story. His siblings, typically more respectable and reserved, were often overshadowed (or wooed) by Randy's antics. However, in a final act of brotherly deference, Randy avoided upstaging Don, his older brother, and his memory by passing just one day after the anniversary of his own heavenly homegoing. The remaining Fish siblings now have a rich selection of October dates to ponder when considering their own future exits.

As a boy, the mischievous, curious, free-spirited Randy was prone to getting into just enough trouble to keep things interesting. He always denied taking his brother’s M&Ms but he finally came clean, admitting to the crime as an adult. The weight of that guilt must’ve driven him to make amends with his future, pursuing both religious and legal vocations. He went on to become a chaplain in the Louisiana Army National Guard (225th Engineering Battalion), earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His sense of justice, perhaps inspired by that early candy caper, led him to an additional career as an attorney, where he took on a system he might've otherwise skirted.

Despite growing up in the heart of the Midwest, Randy was always drawn to the freedom of the ocean, which is why he refused to remain landlocked. That’s how he and his wife BJ ended up in New Orleans, where they welcomed their two spirited, but “mouthy” daughters. Their girls inherited their father’s independence, love of the sea, and sense of justice. Randy never stopped marveling at how well they could argue with him and empty his wallet.

Randy pondered his love for Jesus and his faith throughout his life. In these past several years, Jesus became even more of a steadying hand as Randy embraced the truths he knew—to love others, be kind, do what’s right, and trust that the Lord has a plan, even if He’s a little tight-lipped on the specifics.

Garrison Keillor once said, “They say such nice things about people at their funerals that it makes me sad that I'm going to miss mine by just a few days.” While there will be a celebration of his life, Randy sends his regrets as he won’t be attending. One can only imagine he’s already speeding around the backroads of heaven, with Prairie Home Companion coming through the radio. His celebration of life will be on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Alabaster. Randy never particularly expressed the desire to be an internet sensation, but there will indeed be an option to livestream the service at https://fbcalabaster.org/live.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests making a donation in his name to Safe Harbor, a Louisiana nonprofit that provides shelter, legal services, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. During his 33-year career as an attorney, Randy was deeply committed to helping survivors and their children navigate the legal system during difficult transitions. You can make a donation here on his memorial website.

Randy was a man of many words and his exceptionally lengthy obituary should be no surprise. He would be truly honored that you made it to the end. He’d probably say, “Well, if you stuck around this long, you might as well grab another ice cream bar and stay a little longer. Grab me one too, will ya?”

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