Rep. Randy Pike dies Saturday

Nevada Daily Mail

Missouri House Rep. Randy Pike died Saturday, apparently from swallowing a drink into his lungs, according to an Associated Press report.

His campaign treasurer Barney Fisher said Pike had experienced health troubles since a bout with pneumonia and a vehicle accident earlier this year.

The well-respected lawmaker, who represented Vernon County and most of Bates, was a frequent presence at city and county events, routinely attending the Nevada Vernon County Area Chamber of Commerce meetings and luncheons and business and community functions in Nevada and throughout Vernon County.

A Republican, Pike, 60, of Butler, was first elected to the House in 2012 and was running for a second term.

He easily won a primary this August and was to face Democrat Sam Foursha and Constitution Party candidate William Gilmore in the general election for the 126th House District.

He was a member of the retirement, agriculture policy and veterans committees in the House, while also serving on three others.

Rep. Pike served as the Bates County Northern Commissioner from 2000-2012 before his election to the House.

According to his biography on the State House website, Pike was a talented taxidermist and wood carver.

He was awarded World Champion Taxidermist in 1988. In addition to receiving the Missouri Distinguished Taxidermist Award, Rep. Pike had also judged world and state woodcarving and taxidermy competitions for 20 years.

Pike was a member of the Optimist Club, the NRA, Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Cattleman's Association, the Missouri Farm Bureau and the United Methodist Church.

He served as president for the Adrian Chamber of Commerce and the Butler Lions Club, as well as the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission and the Kaysinger Basin Rural Conservation and Development Committee.

Pike was a 1972 graduate of Butler High School.

Born Sept. 30, 1953, in Butler, Pike was a lifelong resident of Bates County and lived in Adrian with his wife, Patricia. They have two children, Dillion and Michelle.

Pike was remembered fondly by those he worked with across the state.

"I was saddened when I received the news," said Nevada City Manager JD Kehrman.

"I always enjoyed seeing Randy and visiting. He was outgoing and had a 'regular guy' quality that I appreciated. We shared an interest in hunting and fishing and it seems like we talked hobbies as much as we did business.

"Randy took his service to our community seriously and he was always supportive. He never shirked a call or a request and he had a knack for getting his head around complex issues quickly and thoroughly.

"He helped us deal with problematic legislation on multiple occasions. He was instrumental, along with Sen. Ed Emery, in negotiating the transfer of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of commercial kitchen equipment from the old state hospital back into the community last year.

"He was a real ally of the city and I considered him a friend. "

"He was good at his job," summed up Sen. Emery of his colleague.

"He worked hard to represent his constituents. I know he enjoyed being a state representative and serving. I heard him make that statement on numerous occasions."

"Randy was a true gentleman and one of the hardest working representatives in the House," said fellow Rep. Mike Kelley, Lamar.

Kelley, who serves District 127, made up of Barton, Dade, and parts of Cedar and Jasper counties, noted, "Even when he was obviously in great discomfort (due to Pike's recent ill health), he attended the veto session and served with honor even while being confined to a wheelchair."

Fellow House Rep. Warren Love, serving District 125, which includes Cedar, Benton, St. Clair, and Hickory counties, agreed.

"Randy and I both came into the Legislature at the same time. We both served on the Ag Policy Committee. Our districts joined up together and we discussed issues together. One of them was the naming of U. over More on Route 54. Randy was a co-signer on this bill and we got it signed into law this year.

"During our most recent veto session, Randy displayed persistence and determination for his constituents and all Missourians as he spent the most part of 16 hours in a wheelchair in the House Chamber voting on nearly 80 over-ride votes. Randy will be sadly missed by his Republican Caucus.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Patricia and his children Dillion and Michelle."

"State Rep. Randy Pike served our county well during his time in office," said Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Eaton in an email to the Daily Mail.

"Randy made it a point to keep in touch on areas of interest involving our community, attended Chamber luncheons when his schedule permitted to provide legislative updates to those in the business arena, and was always willing to provide input or support when asked.

"He exhibited a passion and love for his role as our District 126 representative and worked FOR the people. Randy worked hard to attend as many events as possible throughout his district and would often come in like a whirlwind, but never hesitated to stay and interact with the business leaders and those in the community to hear any concerns they may have had.

"His passion and genuine soul will be greatly missed."