A Real Estate Agent, A Friend

Randy Loveless.

We happened upon Randy when we were looking to buy our first place. We wanted a duplex or something like it so we could live in it and rent out the other side. I will never forget our first meeting at a 3 (maybe it was 4) bedroom duplex. There was a random pipe through the utility room (I think) and as we walked through he found out a little more about us. On the front steps of that place he said, "look, you don't want to buy this. Let me give you some advice I give to my kids..." AND he did. 

He took us under his wing, answered our questions and chatted about life until we found the duplex we ended up getting. 

Along this path we found out he was the brother-in-law to our landlords at the time who we likewise loved and appreciated. Afterwards we saw each other only on a few occasions like when Mark persuaded him to take us boating with Emily and a very new little Devin. We almost bought another duplex in American fork and he was with us on that deliberation.

After that it was rare and happen chance that we met but our paths did cross. I saw him in the temple the morning before Carlie was born. When Mark started working at the Mount Timpanogas temple on Tuesday mornings he saw him.

One of the last times we talked with him was at a park. The park was near Mark's dear friends, Jake and Jordan, parents house and Randy was in the pool with his kids. He got out of course and came and talked with us. He was so personable and caring. We always felt special around him and important. 

That last meeting was in the summer before Shelby was born. We found out Thursday that he died in November of 2014, a month after Shelby was born and only a few months after laughing and talking with him. He was healthy and active and all we know is he died after a short battle with encephalitis surrounded by family. 

About a year ago Eric Vogel our old landlord and friend passed away from cancer he had been fighting for years. We were sad but looked forward to seeing Randy. When the family walked in we never saw him. We figured him and his wife were probably on a mission or something. We never dreamed it was because he had already passed on himself.

God has a plan that eases the sting of death. How lucky I feel to know that plan and have had the chance to have known good people like Randy Loveless. Until we meet again dear friend!