Charles Randall “Randy” Bohanan of Irrigon passed away peacefully in his home on Jan. 4, 2022 at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer.
Randy was born on June 18, 1950 in Salinas, Calif. to Charles and Margrett Dunson Bohanan.
He grew up in California’s central coast region, where he enjoyed life’s adventures and innocent mischief. Randy loved the water and enjoyed spending time surfing.
After graduating from Atascadero High School in 1969, Randy joined the U.S. Marine Corp, where he was stationed in Yuma, Ariz. and service time oversees in Japan. Randy was honorably discharged in 1972. Upon discharge from the Marine Corp, Randy settled in Yakima, Wash., where he married Marilyn Coker in 1973. Here they raised their daughter, Cindy, who was the center of their lives. Randy worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Yakima, where he retired in 2005 after 30 years of service.
Upon retirement, Randy moved to Irrigon, where he lived for the past 16 years. While in Irrigon, Randy became actively involved in the CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association). It was during this time that he gave his life fully to serving the Lord, going public with his faith when he was baptized in the Columbia River. Randy served as the CMA chapter president for several years, up until the last months of his life.
Randy was known as a free spirit and a wanderer who enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson wherever it might take him. One of his daughter’s most cherished memories was the two-week motorcycle trip with her father down the coast highway after her high school graduation. He had a laugh that could fill a room and a servant’s heart, and he didn’t know a stranger. He enjoyed woodworking and was a sports enthusiast. He loved to watch his daughter play sports while she was growing up and coached recreational softball in Yakima for many years. Above all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his granddaughters, whom he was so proud of.
Dad, as you enter into the gates of heaven, may you be met by all those loved ones that came before you for a joyous reunion. May you tour the streets of gold on a beautiful Harley and hear the Lord say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
He is survived by his daughter, Cindy and her husband Shawn Belton; granddaughters, Shannon and Sierra Belton; mother, Margrett Bohanan; sisters, Kim and her husband Mike Rohrbach and Judith and her husband Ed Logan; and numerous extended family members, close friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Randy was preceded in death by his love, Marilyn Bohanan; father, Charles Ray Bohanan; brother, Ron Bohanan; and an infant daughter, Jennifer Bohanan.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his niece, Kimberly, who so beautifully cared for Randy with such love and compassion during his last year.
A celebration of life with military honors will be held this spring. Details will be provided at a later date.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
