Paul Randle Givens
August 5, 1949 – April 3, 2023
Paul Randle “Randy” Givens was the second boy of four sons born to William Robert and Ida Mae Givens in Ryan, Oklahoma. He graduated from Ryan High School in 1967.
Randy met the love of his life Patricia (Pattie) Ann Pursifull at a pizza dinner in Oklahoma City with his Aunt Jo and cousin Vicki in May of 1966 although he wasn’t aware of it at the time. Randy and Pattie began dating early in the summer of 1969 and were married on December 14, 1969, and happily celebrated their 53rd anniversary last December.
In high school Randy was a multi-sport athlete. His passion for sports led him to pursue a physical education degree in college and it brought him great joy coaching teams for his children and granddaughter as an adult. Once his sons were grown, he fed his passion by umpiring little league games for kids of all ages. Randy was always good for a humorous story from his time umpiring, whether it was about parent behavior, the kids playing or ejecting coaches and/or spectators.
Randy was the handyman people called when they needed something fixed or built. He enjoyed woodworking and was often building or repairing furniture for the home, his mother or grandchildren. He was always just a phone call away if you needed assistance fixing something around the house and he generally had any special tools required to do the project correctly and quickly. He and Pattie have restored numerous family heirloom furniture pieces so they could be passed down to future generations.
To Randy family was a priority and spending quality time with his family was important. He hardly ever missed a sporting event for his sons when they were growing up and then made a point of attending events for the grandkids as they occurred, whether that be band, football, basketball or swimming event. He loved cheering his grandkids on. In addition, he would spend a lot of time with family and friends playing cards and was known as the best card player in the family. Playing cards was a serious game and necessitated keeping a “Permanent Record” of wins and losses.
To his grandkids he was “Gramps”. He had a great sense of humor and loved teasing them just as much as they loved teasing him back. They especially loved teasing him if they ever beat him in any of the many card games they played together.
Randy is survived by his wife Patricia Givens, sons Jason Givens, Justin Givens and wife Victoria Givens, grandchildren Seiya Jones, Jordan Givens and wife Kara Givens, Ryan Givens, Korbin Jones, Jacob Givens, Leah Givens, Jalagi Givens and Noah Givens. He was proceeded in death by his grandson Joshua Jones.
At Randy’s request no memorial service is to be held. Instead, a celebration of his life will occur during the summer in Ryan, Oklahoma for family and friends.