ADRIAN, Mo. — Freshman Republican Rep. Randy Pike, 60, who represented all of Vernon and most of Bates Counties, has died. Pike is the second representative the 97th General Assembly has lost.
Pike was formerly the Bates County Northern Commissioner for 12 years before being elected to the state legislature. Pike’s health was in decline in recent months.
Pike was a talented taxidermist and wood carver who was active in community, business, and outdoorsman organizations. He was awarded World Champion Taxidermist in 1988. Beside receiving the Missouri Distinguished Taxidermist Award, Rep. Pike also judged world and state wood carving and taxidermy for over 20 years.
Rep. Pike had served as president for the Adrian Chamber of Commerce, Butler Lion’s Club, and the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission and the Kaysinger Basin Rural Conservation & Development Committee.
He lived in Bates County his entire life — born in Butler and a graduate of Butler High School.
Pike will be missed by his fellow legislators.
“Representative Randy Pike was my desk mate in the House.,” Rep. Steve Lynch (R-Fort Leonard Wood) said. “I sat next to him 5 months each of the last 2 years. He never wavered in his service or concern for his district or state. Rep. Pike attended veto session even though he was weak and in pain. In the wee hours of the morning, I tried to get him to go lay down and rest. His response: This issue is important to my people at home; I’ll hang in there. He served to the end and I’m honored to have called him my friend.”
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend Randy Pike. Missouri lost a great representative,” Rep. Glen Kolkmeyer (R-Wellington) said.
“My friend, Randy, wasn’t just a legislator or longtime County Commissioner, he was a gentleman and a man who was admired and respected throughout Bates County. He will be missed,” Rep. Chris Molendorp (R-Belton) said. Molendorp’s district contains the other portion of Bates County.
“Randy was a true gentleman and it was an honor to serve in the House with him,” Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany) said. “I always looked up to Randy as a statesman more than a politician but never more so than last week. His level of commitment to the job was unparalleled as the night wore on and his insistence to stay late in the night to represent his district when everyone would have completely understood had he chosen to stay home. A Randy Pike cannot be replaced and his family is in my prayers. His community is a better place because of Randy.”
“Randy Pike was a gentleman and a leader for western Missouri,” Rep. Elijah Haahr (R-Springfield) said. “He stood out in our caucus for his quiet determination and servant’s heart.”
“Randy was talented in everything he did, including being a state representative. He will be sorely missed,” said Rep. Rocky Miller (R-Lake Ozark).
“Randy was a great guy,” Rep. Bill Reiboldt (R-Neosho) said. “He was on my Ag Policy Committee – he was a big part of the committee and he worked hard. He was very supportive – always. I really enjoyed his friendship. We were in several committees and sat a few seats apart on the floor. With the Republicans, it’s kind of like losing one of your family members. I think we all kind of knew it, but it’s never easy to accept. This is the second member we’ve lost in the House. We’re going to miss him; he is a good man.”
“I was so sad to hear about Randy’s passing,” Rep. Todd Richardson (R-Poplar Bluff) said. “He was a dedicated public servant and just a really fine person. His passing is a loss for the entire House.”
“I was honored to be able to serve in the legislature with Randy,” Rep. Caleb Jones (R-California) said. “Randy worked hard for the citizens of his district. He was always someone you could count on.”
“He will be greatly missed,” Rep. Sonya Murray-Anderson (R-Springfield) said. “I am deeply saddened after hearing Rep. Pike has passed away. He was a great friend and a dedicated leader with a servant’s heart.”
“Randy always had a kind word and smile for everyone,” Rep. Sheila Solon (R-Blue Springs) said. “His gentle presence will be missed by all of us. I served with him on the Veterans Committee and he always came prepared and wanted to make sure that we took care of our veterans. I admire the courage and fortitude it must have taken for him to come to veto session with the physical challenges he faced. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Patricia and his children Dillion and Michelle.”
“Randy was a great legislator who showed a lot of class and respect to everyone,” Rep. Shawn Rhodes (R-West Plains) said. “He will be greatly missed.”
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of my friend and colleague Randy Pike,” Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) said. “Always an encouraging and positive person, Randy generously helped others when he saw a need. He donated his woodworking talents to repairing the damage on the dias. He and I shared a passion for hunting and especially duck hunting. We often made plans and discussed duck hunting together.”
“Randy was a colleague, but more importantly a friend,” Rep. Robert Ross (R-Yukon) said. “He tirelessly fought for his constituents. and will be missed.”
“Rep. Pike was a true friend, a gentleman in every way, a statesman with vision, and a wonderful House colleague,” Rep. Dean Dohrman (R-Sedalia) said. “His death is a real loss for the State of Missouri. I join the other representatives in the House extending my condolences to his family.”
“Etched in stone inside the State Capitol is the phrase, ‘To Serve, Not To Be Served.’ Mr. Randy Pike truly lived this statement,” Rep. Jeffery Pogue (R-Salem) said. “It was a honor to serve with him. He will be missed.”
“I am deeply saddened and sorrowed to learn of the passing of my good friend and colleague, Randy Pike,” Speaker Tim Jones (R-Eureka) said. “Randy was a dedicated public servant and a warm and caring soul who enriched the lives of everyone who had the good fortune to meet him. He will be sorely missed by all of us who were blessed to call him a friend. In his professional life, Randy was known by many as a master craftsman and his work will be forever memorialized in the Missouri House. Last year, Randy repaired a small but very intricate wood carved section of the Speaker’s chair on the House dais that had been damaged many years ago. Early in his term, Randy’s keen attention to detail noticed the damaged section and he inquired if he could repair it, guaranteeing a successful restoration. Randy’s work was indeed flawless and the restoration is beautiful. Whenever I gaze upon that dais in the future I know I will think of Randy and cherish the brief yet historic times in which we served. My thoughts and prayers are now with his family who will need our strength and support as they cope with this tragic loss.”
Rep. Pike was a member of the following organizations: Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, Optimist Club, NRA, Ducks Unlimited, Turkey Federation, 4-H Judge, Cattleman’s Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, and United Methodist Church. Pike is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their two children, Dillion and Michelle. His daughter graduated from medical school this past spring, causing him to miss the last few days of regular session.
Pike would have turned 61 at the end of the month.
The visitation will be Wednesday, September 24th, 5:00pm – 8:00pm at the Mullinax Funeral Home, 10 South High Street, Butler, Missouri 64730 (660.679.0009). Funeral services will be Thursday, September 25th, 11:00am at the Mullinax Funeral Home.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
