RANDOLPH EUGUENE STINSON

Randy passed away peacefully on December 14, 2024, at the age of 83, with his loving Wife by his side.

Born on November 6, 1941 in Salt Lake City to Mary Leola Ratliff and Richard E. Pflug; he was later adopted by D. James Stinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Carol (Sheldon) and Nettie; and his brother, Rod (Wendy). He is survived by his Wife, Janice; His Brothers, Loyd (Susan) and Richard (Sharon); His children, Samuel, Thomas, and Catherine; along with their Mother, Shannon, and his adopted sons, Paul (Laurie) and Stephen; and his step-children he acquired through marriage including a total of 27 Grandchildren combined, all of whom he adored. In kind regard, he was also survived by so many wonderful employees and friends for whom he was always grateful to have in his life.

Randy was a kind and loving man throughout his life, He sponsored Little League baseball for many years, and the sign for his shop can be seen in the background of the film Sandlot which was made at the park he sponsored. Randy liked to donate to a variety of charities as a way of paying forward and giving back even though he usually had just enough to get by. He enjoyed golf for many years of his life, was once a member of the Westland Hills Golf Club (now Glenmoor), and even once survived getting struck directly by lightning on a green. Later he garnered a strong love for fishing, especially on the Provo River or by Pontoon boat when occasion found him at Fish Lake. He was a great billiards player, he won many records betting on games in his younger days and was a very fine bowler as well. For many years he enjoyed watching and attending BYU athletics events, particularly football games. His competitive nature showed up in Pinewood Derby Races when participating in Boys Scouts with his sons; helping them design and win many trophies. Later in life he really got into playing sports on the Wii, and was always willing and ready to play a game with anyone, up to and until the last weeks of his life. He was very proud of achieving many perfect games when Bowling on the console.

Randy "got hooked" on music after purchasing his first 45 record in 1959, Santo and Johnny's "Sleepwalk". While in high school Randy worked as typesetter for Twin Type, where he would go after school let out. He would give his paychecks to his mother so the family had food but there was often nothing for him to eat after his long days. Randy graduated from West High School 1960 and continued to work as a typesetter. His love of music became a passion and he allocated a portion of every paycheck to his record collection. His favorite place to shop was at Ray's music, a jukebox distributor, buying much of his stock there. He also frequented Valley Music and was the only person G&W would allow to buy their old stock of 45s. By 1965 he had amassed around 2,000 records, claiming it to be an investment, not a hobby. He truly loved to entertain others, and conceived the idea of transmitting music from his house to the FM radios of cars parked south of his home near his alma mater. Music requests were submitted by folks knocking on the door, then the requester's name was announced before their chosen song was played over his pirate airwaves. Thus, the disc-jockey days of "Randy's Record Room" were born. In 1966, with the help of his friend Ken Myer, Randy figured out a way to play music over telephone lines while maintaining good sound quality. That year he used his newfound technology to play music weekly via telephone right from his record room for Ken Waldron's KNAK radio show on Sunday nights. In December 1965 he and his brother Rod recorded "Invasion of the Moon Men" a novelty 'cut-in' song which became a local hit in 1966 on KNAK radio. They went on to record "Return of the Moon Men" later that year. Randy continued to make his "Novelty Tapes" and was proud of these recordings all throughout his life.

Randy had joined the National Guard in 1964 and was drafted in 1967; he served our Country overseas during the Vietnam War, receiving five medals from the United States Army. It was in Vietnam he conceived his idea for an "oldies" record shop all the while continuing to grow his collection by shopping regularly while on base. At times he couldn't wait for the newest release so he had records like The Beatles "White Album" airmailed from home on the day it was released so he would be the first person in Southeast Asiato have a copy. After returning home from Vietnam in 1969 he worked as the LP buyer at ABC Records and tape sales, which allowed him to further grow his burgeoning collection. By now he wanted to play songs for large crowds and took up his first residency DJ club gig but it was his second residency in 1972 that put him on a much bigger map in Salt Lake City when was hired to play the "Oldies but Goodies" for the Bongo Lounge on Highland Drive. By 1973 he estimated owning around 15,000 records. He continued doing his Bongo Lounge shows for about 8 years transmitting his spinning records via phone line and occasionally in person. In the 1970s before opening his shop Randy spun records for many private parties, reunions and other various events. He even made custom compilations from his record collection on reel to reels, 8 tracks and cassette tapes for others in this time. He graduated from the Utah Technical College with an electronics certification which he would later use this skill set to repair his own stereo equipment and that of many others.

He never gave up his dream of opening his Record Shop, and that day finally came in October of 1978. By that time he had amassed 60,000 records and it was time to share his records with others. He found some of his greatest satisfaction in finding and playing records for others who hadn't heard these tunes in ages. That drive continued at Randy's Record Shop with him digging through his collection and the backroom stock he continued to amass; always trying to find that song that could make someone's day. He connected with a lot of people in kindness and with music, and was sometimes referred to as a "walking rolodex of music". Randy formally retired in 2018; and his shop still stands today some 46 years after he first opened his door. Randy worked very hard over the 40 years he ran his shop, typically working 60-70 hours per week. In an especially rough patch he slept in the back of his shop for several years because he was not making enough to live elsewhere. His legacy continues to connect his fellow music lovers with song and one another and is run by his eldest son Sam. But his giant shoes cannot truly be filled by anyone else because he was Salt Lake's "Record Man".

Randy was loved dearly by his city and community and will be missed by more than his family and close friends. He loved people, always wanting to make them happy and sharing music was his gift. And if that didn't work he always had a bad joke up his sleeve somewhere. Randy lived the last five decades of his life as a faithful member of the LDS church. He did his best to instill goodness in his family and employees. But even now he wouldn't want you to feel a bit of sadness that he is gone, he would want you to go play your favorite song.

There will be a viewing on Sunday December 22nd at the Walker-Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 E. 800 N. Orem, UT 84097 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. His funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday December 23rd at the Lindon 12th Ward Church, 56 E. 600 N. Lindon, UT 84042.

The interment will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery at 2350 E. 1300 S at 2:30 PM. in SLC, UT.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the Habitat for Humanity or CAWS of Utah in his name.

to view the service for Randy please click this link. https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczNDY0Nzg4MjM0MjA1MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==