The doors of Heaven opened wide and the light was exceedingly bright as Randall L. Clutter’s earthly duties came to an end and he began his eternal rest and reunion on March 16, 2026 at 8:00 P.M.  His soul is now with those he loved who left this earth before him and he resides within the hearts of all those he left behind reminding us of the richness of his life. Randy loved to joke and always quipped, “I’m a Christian, just not a very good one.  I know it’s going to be a hot time in the front office when I get there!”

Randy’s life was filled with love and abiding strength.  Born the baby of the family on September 10,1947 to William T. (Bill) Clutter and Irene (Hicks) Clutter.  He was the last sibling of 2 brothers and 1 sister whose claim to fame was making him mud pies to eat which he willingly ingested much to his mother’s dismay.  He was raised in Springfield, Missouri, attending Central High School where he played with the Central Bulldogs as a linebacker earning the nickname of “Cling Clang Clutter” which he seemed to like better than “Tubby”. That early football career carried through to later years as he became a passionate and devoted fan of the KC Chiefs.  Randy never missed a game even sharing his hospital room with family and staff with a big screen TV (Thanks to Ben, his constant companion for game days) for Super Bowl during a hospitalization.  Luckily by then he had toned down the editorial content that usually accompanied these games.  The Superbowl wins were the epitome of his happiness!  He was also part of the Scottish Rite in Joplin, MO carrying on the legacy of his father and brother.

The “dash” in his life continued as he began his work career at Silver Dollar City robbing trains, giving tours of Marvel Cave, and “marrying” all the young tourist girls that populated that township.  Acting was in his blood and he continued this working summer stock in Folsom, CA hoping to become the next great silver screen star while also working for Uncle Sam in the U.S. Air Force.  His primary occupations there were refueling for the Strategic Command and developing and implementing USO shows that he took to Vietnam. He changed gears and became a talent agent for George B. Hunt and Associates working with the Lawrence Welk show as well as taking groups such as The Doors to venues across the country.  This provided for some interesting stories – Lawrence Welk was a difficult task master, Cissy King was very cute and fun, and Ken Delo was a suave and handsome friend. And no, he should not have brought Ken to the house to meet Pat when he came to Springfield while she was cleaning out a closet in a bathrobe while trying to keep 2 young kids in tow!

In 1971, Randy returned to his roots in Springfield and met Patricia (Pat) Clutter, a student nurse who sold him a piece of cake for a fund raiser as he was finishing a meeting with the local MD organization that his brother, Tom, made him attend. Little did either know that this would be an auspicious day!  Eight days after they met on February 16, Randy asked Pat to live the rest of her life with him and she immediately said yes.  When it’s right, it’s right! They married the following year on June 24,1972 immediately before her graduation as school rules denied married students until the last part of their senior year. As the year was flying by, the decision was made to move the date up by 2 months.  Oh my!  The rumors that flew!  Sorry guys – just needed to get something out of the way!  Graduate – start a new job – take boards – move out of the dorm– get married – something had to go!

That began the whirlwind of their lives together!  They raised two of the best boys that God ever created.  Justace was born in 1976 and Ben followed in 1979.  They were the love of his life and he relished the joy of watching them become the men they are today. He also discovered how hard it was to raise boys!  Late homework – fears of bullying – meeting with teachers to tell them how the cow ate the cabbage and to leave his child alone – so many fun times!  It was exciting to watch Randy looming over the third-grade teacher in his uniform and leather telling her that he would talk – not her – and that Justace was not going to become a serial killer!  Great story!  He infused them with spirit, patriotism, and the treasure of living a life filled with meaning.  He was exceedingly proud of both of them and the lives they carved out for themselves. He taught them by example how to be brothers, friends, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers.  He took care of his family and treated Pat as if she was the queen of the household.  It is so true that it is not the big things but rather the myriad of little things that come together to say “I love you.” Filling the car with gas after getting it washed, working for hours to detail it himself, buying a favorite treat for dessert, making sure there was money in the till, planning a great movie night with the kids and popcorn – these make the memories that create the patchwork of your life.

His career as a Springfield, MO police officer was his identity. He loved this profession with enthusiasm and high respect.  His days as a patrol officer were full of experiences that became part and parcel of who he was. From single-handedly surrounding a church in the middle of the night as he waited for back-up – the perpetrators thought they truly were surrounded! – to being asked by one of the local “regulars” to be a pall bearer for his mother’s funeral – yes, he did this – to capturing a fleeing suspect by picking him up as a hitchhiker in his unmarked police car – he loved these years.  As his career continued, Randy became part of the command staff, finishing his time there with the rank of Captain.  During this career he became “Mr. Crime Prevention”, starting the Neighborhood Watch program,  helping to create the Missouri Crime Prevention Association where he served as president, becoming a regional director for the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners,  helping to create and name the national McGruff campaign – in his home on Melody Lane with committee members who flew in from Washington, D.C. while waiting for his second child to make an appearance (which he did that night!), working as advisor for the Cadet program, serving on the Major Crime Unit, becoming part of Attorney General Ashcroft’s Advisory Council on Crime Prevention, and being in charge of dignitary protection when presidents came to town.  He also enjoyed some time as the financial manager of “The Heat”, a local band consisting of police officers who played for various venues. Always harkening back to his entertainment days!

One of Randy’s many talents was mentoring.  He did this without even thinking about it. Kids simply gravitated to him!  It was just natural for him to help others.  Many notes of thanks have arrived expressing gratitude for his instruction, his patience, his guidance, and his inclination to touch others with his heart.  He loved people and never, ever met a stranger. His entertainment background never left him and along the way he became good friends with the group, Sha-Na-Na and Tiny Tim.  Lenny Baker of Sha-Na-Na took Randy on a rousing boat ride at Cape Cod and almost crashed in the rip tide! Tiny Tim “tip-toed through the tulips” and serenaded many of Randy’s friends and family! He was instrumental in bringing the Lawrence Welk Show to Branson and the Cardinal baseball team to Springfield.  He was a member of the “Breakfast Club” that included movers and shakers within the Springfield community and would always remember with a laugh and a smile some of the shenanigans that they generated. Randy loved a good joke and had a never-ending supply close at hand. He was never without a quip, a joke, or a riddle, passing this talent on to several other family members! After retirement Randy moved to Exotic Animal Paradise where he was the PR guy working at his desk with a monkey sitting on his head. Later he started his own protection and fraud investigation company. Randy and Pat also created Security Circle, a company invested in home parties dealing with safety factors and products. Clarence Kelley, former Director of the FBI, became part of the makeup of this company.

Randy was preceded in death by his father, Bill, mother, Irene, and beloved siblings, Harley, Tom, and Glenda.  He is the last of this legacy that will be continued through those left behind. He is also preceded by his sister-in-law, Inge, niece Hayley, and other cousins, aunts and uncles.

Randy leaves behind to mourn his passing, his best friend and loving wife and travel partner, Pat, his son Justace and wife Huan and grandson, Axton, his son Ben and wife Melanie, step-granddaughter Brittany Grim and husband Jordan, step-great grandchildren Madison and Elijah, step-grandaughter Briana Scott and Malik Crews and step great-grandchildren Bently, Noah, and Erza, and step-granddaughter, Kaylie Scott. He also leaves behind his brother-in law, Bruce, his niece, Martina Wobbe and her daughter, Jordan, nephew Mike Clutter, great-nephew Chris Clutter and wife Jessie and their son, Cade, great- nephew Eric and wife Brittany with children, Gabe and Xander. He also leaves behind his much-loved foster grandson, John Murray and his wife Sarah, and daughters, Reese and Lainie along with foster grandchildren, Keith Troesser, Kimberly Troesser, and Kristin Murray.  Neighbors carry you through so much and he leaves behind one of these who he loved greatly – Garrett Hoffman with his wife Shay and children Maggie and Gideon and Shari Hoffman, a forever family friend who meant so much to him. This list could go on and on as he was friends with so many.

We all loved Randy so very much for his smile and laugh, his ability to put people at ease, his love for meeting new people, for helping others, and for always having an answer for life’s trials.  He loved to travel and create adventures with family! Take heed and never put things off – always go wherever the wind takes you and live your life fully and without regret.  Take time to help someone who is struggling and give yourself a “Randy Clutter moment”. Really truly live.

Visitation will be held at Greenlawn North on Saturday, March 21, 2026 with visitation, memories, and good-byes at 10:00, Service at 11:00. Internment will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens.