Ch. 17 - Randall Grady Ellison Ch. 17 Photos
October 2, 1954 - April 11, 2009
I met Randy when I was driving a Charlie's Taxi back from a run to Kaneohe from Honolulu. I had been up all night and was driving a double shift around 9 in the morning. Randy and his buddy, George, who were both Marines stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base, were hitch hiking on the hill leading to the tunnel to Honolulu. I needed someone to help me stay awake, so I pulled over. They said they didn't want a cab, they wanted to hitch hike. I told them it was OK, I wasn't going to charge them, I just wanted some company. BTW, they had both just taken some LSD. We drove to the Kamehameha Drive In on the makai side of the island, where there was a flea market. This was in summer of 1973. I still needed some basic living items, having arrived in Hawaii in February. We walked around the flea market and I picked up various household items and tools that I needed. George and Randy followed me like 2 puppy dogs, and carried all the things that I bought. I dropped them off in Waikiki and we exchanged contact information. A friendship was born that lasted more than 20 years. [to be continued]
Randy, David, Dog, Red Danner, Dick Davis
Being picked up by Roen MacDonald after hiking and camping in Kahana Valley
In front of the quanset hut at the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Clubhouse in Waimanalo
On our way to paddle to Rabbit Island to smoke and surf.
The HTMC front yard
My Honda 90 in the back
Randy in his blue Plymouth that he bought so he would have a nice car to drive Roen around in. My van in background.
Randy in the 2000's
I sold my Ford Falcon to Randy for $150, as I had just bought a 1964 (?)Ford Econoline van from another Charlie's Taxi driver, for $800. This was in late 1973 or early 1974. We hiked together, hung out,and partied together. We surfed on Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base, as well as other spots on Oahu. I introduced him to Roen MacDonald, and they became an item. He sold the Falcon and bought a nicer Plymouth, so he would have a better car to drive Roen around in. I attended his 21st birthday party in his and Roen's apartment in Kaneohe. Randy was very spirited and upbeat, and fun to be around. I counseled him as an older brother would. We were very close.
Once after I delivered
a passenger to his base late at night, I visited the hangar he was working in. He was an electrician who worked on fighter jets. He let me sit in the cockpit of one after making it a big point to tell me not to touch the Eject button.
After Randy was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1975(?), he and Roen MacDonald (Hufford) left Hawaii and went to Texas and Arkansas. They visited me and my girlfriend, Sharon Hodel, in Neptune Beach, Florida, in 1977. Randy and Sharon didn't get along and both were so hard headed, neither would make an effort. Roen and I suffered through a week or so visit. They stayed with us in our apartment. They had a cool black lab named Mo'i that could scale the walls at Fort Caroline. Later Roen went back to Hawaii, and they broke up. Randy came back after Sharon and I broke up and we all three lived together for several months. We got along ok then. Donna Miller lived with us too, and boys would come by to pick up Donna and Sharon for dates. Sometimes they wouldn't come upstairs to get the girls, but would holler for them from outside. Randy and I started a tree service business (R&D) together that lasted about 6 months until we dissolved our partnership for disagreeing on how to run it. Randy left town for parts unknown in March of 1987, He was behind on his income tax and thought the IRS was closing in. He did a tree job with Andy Davis, dropped him off at Randy's place on Florida Boulevard in Neptune Beach, and told him he would be right back from the bank after he cashed the check. He had Tidda, his female Doberman and his gear for a trip, in his Ford Fiesta. That was the last we saw of him until April or May, 1993, when he came back for my wedding to Karen McAlear. (Andy sat on the steps for a couple of hours before he went home.) Randy left his truck loaded with brush and left every thing he couldn't get in his car, in his apartment. Myself and some of Randy's friends cleaned out the apartment and drove his truck to a junkyard. We had a "seance" in Mary Hess' nearby apartment in late 1992 to hoot Randy back. I believe Karen, Mary, Frank Cellar, and Jennifer Hammock participated. I wrote to Randy's stepmother, Mary, in Houston, to let Randy know Karen and I were getting married. We had both known Karen since 1978. When I came to work at Pete's Bar in the Spring of 1993, I was shocked to see Randy leaning up against the bar. It was one of those surreal moments when you do a double take. I was glad to see him and everyone pretty much forgave Randy for whatever he did or didn't do before leaving town. Long story short, I estranged myself from Randy for some of his bad habits a couple of years later, and he moved to St. Augustine. He must have gotten straight with the IRS, as he got a job as an installer with a local cable company. He married his "mail order bride", Kathi, from Arkansas, and passed away in 2009 from liver failure. We had a surfboard paddle out in Vilano Beach to spread his ashes. Carl Miller, Frank Cellar (who stood by Randy to the end, literally, he held Randy's hand when he took his last breath.), and Kathi were there, Kathi stayed on the beach. Frank had divided Randy's ashes into three baggies, and we each emptied one when we got outside the breakers. We said a few words to bless Randy on his way. Randy was a colorful, larger than life guy, who was his own worst enemy. He was funny and off the wall and the life of any party. I hope he has found peace. There was a nice memorial service for him in Vilano Beach at the pavilion near the boat ramp. His Mother and brother Terry (who came from Arkansas), daughter Anna (who came from North Carolina), and many friends attended. My sister Rosemary (Anna's mother) and Karen came to the service, but both were emotionally unable to go in. There was a collage of pictures of Randy throughout his life. Kathi gave me his giant American flag he liberated from the USMC airbase in Kaneohe, and I gave it to Anna. We always hung it from trees when we had a party. It was spectacular. I inherited it when Randy fled to Arkansas, and gave it back to him when he returned. Randy's legacy is the many memories we have (Hootie-Hoot), his daughter and grandsons, and numerous plants and trees that he gave me through the years, some of which are quite large now.
Randy was scared of bridges and avoided them unless absolutely necessary. Once in Arkansas during 1987-1993, he threw a High Standard 22 pistol off a bridge when he thought the law was after him. He had borrowed the pistol from Big Phil Edwards here in Florida. It might have been in Texas.
"If a chicken and a half laid an egg and a half in a day and a half, how long would it take for a one legged grasshopper to kick the seeds out of a dill pickle? Who cares, as long as there are enough Bozo Franks." Something Randy used to say. Have no idea where it came from.
Randy could also recite verbatim these words from the side of a Budweiser beer can: "We know of no brand produced by any other brewer which costs so much to brew and age. Our exclusive Beechwood Aging produces a taste, a smoothness and a drinkability you will find in no other beer at any price." "Brewed with 100% natural ingredients. We use only the finest hops, barley malt, rice, yeast and water. We craft and age Budweiser using time-honoured brewing methods."
Randy Ellison Eulogy: Published in St. Augustine Record on April 14, 2009
Randy Ellison, 54, passed away peacefully with his loving wife, Kathi, and dear friend, Frank Cellar, at his side on April 11, 2009. Randy was born Oct. 2, 1954, in Houston, Texas. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and also took great pride in his work for Comcast over the past 12 years in St. Augustine. He loved catching the waves at Neptune Beach, where he was affectionately known as "Tree Trimmer" by his friends. His smile and sense of humor brightened the lives of everyone he met. Randy is survived by his wife, Kathi, [and daughter, Anna Stearns, grandsons Dylan and Daniel Stearns] and many loving family and friends. A memorial service celebrating Randy's life will be held at the Vilano Beach Pavilion by the pier Thursday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. Craig Funeral Home Cremation and Memorial Park in charge of arrangements.
2009 - Randy has a daughter, Anna Stearns and two grandchildren, Dylan and Daniel Stearns. Anna's mother is Rosemary Stearns. Randy has a brother, Terry ,and his Mother in Arkansas. His Father is in Houston with his stepmother, Mary.
2009 - Cara McCuen - RIP, Randy -- truly one of a kind -- hope you and Tidda are together again!
Linda Love Suttee - November 2013
David, thank you for accepting my friend request. I lived in Florida in the 90s and have just moved back. I was looking for Frank Cellar when I found your book and read the part about Randy. I lived right behind Frank on Florida Blvd and met Randy when he came from Arkansas for your wedding. Frank fixed up his van for Randy to sleep. I was working in my yard when the carriage with you and Karen came down 1st street. It was so beautiful. I was sorry to hear about Randy and had no idea that he was a Marine. After your wedding, he said he was going to stay in Florida and ask his Brother to just burn everything in his house, We used to go up and see you at Pete's.
We also used to go to Palm Valley to see you in your mobile home out there with the fence around it. I remember you had a tree frog that lived in your shower.
January 22, 2014: So, I had just moved [1993] to Florida from Dallas, and didn't know anyone. I lived in a garage apartment behind Frank's carriage house. I went out one morning and he was messing with his van. He said that David and Karen were getting married and Randy was coming from Arkansas. He was making a place in his van where Randy could sleep. I didn't know who any of these people were. The next morning, I was working in my yard and I saw a horse drawn carriage going south on first street. I later heard it was David and Karen who had their wedding on the beach.......to be continued.
So, early the next morning, this LOUD stranger comes to my cottage. He has huge blue eyes, tons of curly hair and so much energy. He says (in his best Arkansas accent) "howdy neighbor". That was when I met Randy. .....to be continued.
So, each day when I came home from work, I would ask Randy how his day was. He said "I met the three beautiful women in the rental cottage and showed them St. Augustine. (He was definitely a ladies man). One day he said, " I have these gourd seeds, let's plant them". Next, I had string on my porch and beautiful gourds were growing up and down them....to be continued.
So one day I came home and he said I went to Ponte Vedra Beach today. " I met people but I don't think they believed the story about when I shot two turkeys with one shot"......to be continued.
One day my phone rang and Randy said I am in "Dodge City"*. (I found that it was a mobile home park on Atlantic Blvd, west of Mayport. He said "can you come pick me up, feed me and bring me back?" (I did).... to be continued.
*Real name Atlantic Highlands, Randy and I trimmed trees for Norman Grossberg, who owned some rental property there. Norman always said the best investment you could make was in undeveloped land. - David
So, I worked for this travel agency and the offered this 3 day FAM cruise and invited Randy to go. We sailed from Ft. Lauderdale. It was a Disney Cruise with everything included but alcohol. We were seated with this awesome couple, Eilene and her boyfriend and grew to be great friends. Each time we were at dinner, the pool, the spa or anywhere, when they came in Randy would yell "Eilene". LOUDLY, in the Randy way. Of course, Eilene fell in love with Randy wanted to take him home with her. Neither Randy nor I had money and we wanted to mix drinks. The 24 hour buffet only provided mixers and these small (about two ounce) cups. So we would take several cups to our table and mix them with a bottle we got in the duty free store. Randy would offer drinks to Eilene and her boyfriend but he would forget which cups he had spiked. So funny! Everywhere we went, pool, spa, lunch, dinner, day cruises, everyone knew and loved Randy.......to be continued.
So, one day, Randy showed up at my foor with a bicycle and asked if I wanted to ride. We did, and we were riding North on 1st st. and Randy was riding backward (like Butch Cassidy). We were riding and the police stopped Randy. I didn't know what to do, so I pretended not to know him and rode on. Mikey, bartender from Monkey's Uncle was riding and stopped to see that Randy was okay and the police let him go and told him not to ride backward........to be continued.
So, one Sunday morning, Randy showed up and asked if I wanted to go to church. Church? So we bought a newspaper and drove to Ward's Landing. We got there and Clen was alone, opening up the place and said that no one does that any more, but we read our paper while Clen worked....to be continued.
Didn't see Randy for a while and one day he showed up at my door with a bike on the back of his car (on a carrier) and asked if I wanted to ride. We did. Didn't hear from him after that and heard that he met someone in Ponte Vedra [mail order bride, actually] and was getting married. The End.
Shortly thereafter, I moved back to Dallas for 10 years and didn't hear from Randy or Frank. The End End.
Chat Conversation End - Linda Love Suttee
