Randall Eugene Dark

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his love for his hometown started early and ran incredibly deep.

Bro. Randy E. Dark, a true servant of the Lord, his family, and his community, went to be with Jesus on Friday, July 31 after a sudden medical event. Born to Gene and Bobbie Dark on October 25, 1956 in Hodge, Louisiana and raised entirely in the McDonald community of Jonesboro, his love for his hometown started early and ran incredibly deep. He spent his early days riding in a Holsum bread box on his dad's bread truck, and by age 10 he had begun his official work of serving the people of Jonesboro at his Grandpa Dickerson's convenience store. Work ethic was a nonnegotiable trait of the Dark household, evidenced by Randy's rising at 5:00 in the morning to work at what became his dad's store and then returning after school to finish up the day's duties. A member of the class of 1974, Randy attended Jonesboro Hodge High School and, as an avid sports lover from the very beginning, played football all four years of high school as an offensive tackle. The years he spent as a J-H Tiger wearing #75 were some of the best of his life, and he was often quoted as saying that he "would give anything to play just one more down."

After graduating high school, Randy briefly attended Louisiana Tech University before leaving to pursue a career as an electrician in the local paper industry and marry his lifelong love, Toni Robinson of Danville. They married on November 10, 1977 and would have been married for 49 years this year. In 1980 their first child and only son, Nicholas, was born, and their two daughters, Miranda and Lauren, followed in 1984 and 1990. Randy was a beloved father who blended some of his rough around the edges ways with unwavering devotion, and there was love in every single decision made and action taken where his children were concerned. As many in our midst can attest, if ever Randy was called upon then he was coming, and that dependability was never more evident than with his family and most especially his children and grandchildren.

Randy's dedication to both local athletics and serving young people extended far beyond his own children, with him participating in intramural softball as a formidable third baseman, as well as acting as a little league baseball coach, junior high football and baseball coach, volunteer Jonesboro Hodge High School varsity football coach, and president of both the J-H booster and touchdown clubs. Randy also served our local schools faithfully as a Jackson Parish school board member for nearly 18 years.

Furthermore, Randy's work ethic continued to serve him well, as he was employed for 25 years at the Hodge bag mill, ultimately working his way up to management before its closure. Upon accepting a new position at another facility, Randy was tragically injured in a workplace accident that took his left lower leg and very nearly his life. Despite a mentally and physically grueling recovery, Randy was able to pivot - literally and figuratively - rebuilding a life here in Jackson Parish centered around those who carried him through his hardest times as well as those who also found themselves in a dark or desperate place. He began to serve as a probation officer for the Jackson Parish court system and, although he executed his official duties with conviction, he always made room for redemption. Randy also found new ways to serve the Lord and His people by working with the church youth group, teaching Sunday school, cooking Wednesday night supper for his church family, and sharing his testimony whenever called upon.

In 2013, the call he felt upon his life exceeded that of a volunteer and, after much prayer and counsel, Randy was officially ordained into the ministry. Randy went on to serve as the pastor of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church and Hodge Baptist Church, as well as providing guest pastoring to various congregations across North Louisiana. He served his congregants faithfully, attending every vigil, rejoicing in every milestone, and grieving alongside them through every heartbreak. Randy had a heart for the salvation of his community and never missed an opportunity to witness to those around him no matter the setting and invited every person he met to attend church. Without a doubt, Heaven will be more crowded because of Randy Dark.

Most recently, aside from the people of God and his church, Randy found the most joy in his role as Pop to his six grandchildren. There was no ceremony, game, recital, party, or program too far or too small for Pop to attend, and he often passed his phone around in a crowd to show off the latest photos of his grands. Above all, Randy loved people and was a force that felt larger than life. He brought a sense of joy and laughter, often at high volumes, to every room he entered. Although the loss of Bro. Randy leaves a void which can never be filled this side of Heaven, we are comforted by the fact that no single person was ever better prepared or more excited to meet his Savior, and the impact he left on the people of our town will be evident for generations to come. He would be thrilled to tell you all today that he is no longer on his last leg.

Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord."