Randy A. Meter, 67, of Gering, Nebraska, was reunited with his beloved wife, Tami, when he joyfully entered the gates of Heaven on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Salem Congregational Church in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, with Pastor Tim Hebbert officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff. Memorials may be made to the Veteran’s Help Foundation, an organization that provides hunting and fishing opportunities for disabled veterans. The funeral service will be live-streamed and recorded on Randy’s obituary page, viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.
Randy was born December 8, 1956, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to Reinhold and Esther (Henkel) Meter. He obtained his education at Bayard Public Schools graduating with the class of 1975.
Randy was united to the love of his life, Tamara Sue Keller, on March 24, 1984. Together they forged a bond that served as a testament to the power of love and the commitment to their vows, especially “through sickness and health.” To this union, he was blessed with his greatest pride and joy, his daughter, Jennifer. Randy and Tami made their home on the farm in Bayard, Nebraska, where they raised their daughter. They then moved to Gering in 2005.
Following high school, Randy obtained a certificate in auto mechanics from WNCC, which served him well as a hobby mechanic, but his lifelong career and passion was farming. Randy farmed for nearly thirty years collaborating with his father and his brother, Dale. Randy quit farming and the family moved to Gering where he worked at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center. He was later employed as an applicator at WestCo where he worked until he had a stroke in 2017, devastatingly forcing him out of the workforce.
Randy could often be found tinkering on cars, such as rebuilding the 1966 Mustang his sister, Deb, drove to college. Although he was never able to complete the project, his son-in-law, Tom, plans to finish it with the help of Randy’s grandson, Elliott. This will make Randy proud for sure! Randy never missed watching the NHRA Drag Races on the weekends. In the wintertime you could count on Randy being in the goose blind before sunrise next to his dad, his Uncle Harry, and his faithful dog, Jack. Randy also enjoyed reloading ammo in his “lab” in the basement, deer and turkey hunting, and fishing. His greatest pastime, however, was spending time with his family, especially his daughter and grandchildren. Randy loved being a Papa more than anything. Randy was also a member of Salem Congregational Church, where he served as a deacon for numerous years.
He will be missed by all who knew him, however, we are rejoicing that Randy is out of his broken body and free of the ailments he fought here on earth for the last seven years.
Randy is survived by his daughter, Jennifer and son in-law, Tom Olmstead of Scottsbluff, NE; grandchildren, Elliott and Emersyn Olmstead; bonus daughter and grandson, Tammie and Kirkland Setter of Scottsbluff, NE; brother, Dale Meter of Bayard, NE; sister, Deb Meter (Gary Stricker) of Scottsbluff, NE; brothers-in-law, Mark (Cindy) Keller of Scottsbluff, NE and Roger (Rene) Keller of Mitchell, NE; sister-in-law, Kristy Keller of Mitchell, NE; nieces and nephews, Ryan Keller, Stacey (Eric) Meisner, Chad (Stephanie) Keller, Jayson (Alicia) Keller, Sara (Matt) Rogers, and Stephanie (Jarred) Berger; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Reinhold and Esther Meter; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leo and Helen Keller; brother-in-law, Tom Keller; wife, Tami Meter in 2023; and numerous extended family members and friends.