John Randolph "Randy" Morton, 73, of Hallettsville, passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday morning, Sept. 14, 2016, after a 4 month battle with cancer. Randy, as he was known, was born on June 19, 1943, in Houston, to John M. R. Morton & Marie Aschbacher Morton.

Randy graduated from Lamar High School in 1961, and attended Texas A&M on a swimming scholarship

In 1963, he and Carol Smith, his high school sweetheart, were married at St. John the Devine Episcopal Church. Randy worked for UNIVAC at NASA during the exciting early years of American's manned space programs. He was proud of his participation on the Gemini, Mercury and first moon landing missions. During those years he and Carol welcomed their son Bryan Randolph Morton.

Randy joined the Houston Jaycees and became a Little League/Tee Ball expert & sponsor. He was President of the Houston Jaycees in 1975, when it was the world's largest chapter. When he left NASA, he completely changed directions and joined the sales force of Acme Visible Records. He quickly became a national sales leader and eventually General Manager. He made great friends everywhere he went and cherished his high school, A&M, NASA, Neighborhood, Church and business colleagues. He was blessed with a host of friends and cousins who enjoyed tubing on the Comal, camping in freezing weather at football games, lake time with a 55 hp Mercury and Chili cooking. In 1979, Carol and Randy delightedly welcomed daughter Carrie, with the same birthday (Nov. 10) as her brother, and they continued to be blessed with God's good grace. Randy started his own business in 1982, AccData of Houston. They furnished patient charts, mobile shelving, color coded file systems for many hospitals, law firms, police and fire departments for the last 33 years.

After Bryan and Carrie were out of school and starting their own families, Randy & Carol really embraced Hallettsville, where his mother was born, and a whole new chapter began. Randy jumped right into small town life! His new banker invited him to visit the Hallettsville Lions Club and that invitation turned into another opportunity for service and many great friends. He served as Secretary, Zone Chair and President. He also learned how to flip hamburgers. He became the District Governor in 2012, was very proud of his team and all the 79 clubs in District 254. They accomplished membership growth, support of Texas Lions Camp, Foundation and Eye Bank, local service projects and great travels to National and International Conventions, always promoting Lions' Moto, "We Serve".

Randy and Carol became active in St. James' Episcopal Church, were he served as Lay Eucharistic Minister and Senior Warden.

Randy loved life and everything that came with it: sunsets, mountains, clouds, storms, cows, turkeys, old dogs (not so much armadillos), lakes, motor homes, ice house stories, hay, weddings, porches, ugly tractors, fish, rode trips, and cruises; but most of all, grandchildren. He was most proud and thankful to God for his precious children and grand kids, and considered them his best work of life.

Randy is survived by: wife Carol; son Bryan R. Morton of Cleburne, TX; daughter Carrie Ostrin & husband Paul of Houston; sister Elizabeth Morton of Hallettsville; 5 grandchildren, Luke Morton, Christopher Morton, Carly Ostrin, Zachary Ostrin, and Grey Ostrin.

Randy was preceded in death by: his parents, brother Richard Morton, sister-in-law Carolyn Morton, and nephew Rob Morton.

Funeral Service: 2:30 pm, Saturday, September 17, 2016, at St. James' Episcopal Church, 1103 East Fourth Street, Hallettsville. Visitation: 2 pm Saturday at Church. Officiant: Rev. Virginia H. Frnka. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): St. James Episcopal Church Building Fund or Texas Lions Foundation, 4005 16 ^th , #188, Lubbock, TX 79416. Burial: Hallettsville City Cemetery.