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Randy Nell, 73

| November 4, 2020 1:05 AM

Randal LeRoy Nell, 73, passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after a long battle with cancer, with his wife, Carol, by his side. He was born Dec. 26, 1946, in Kewanee, Ill.; the son of John and Beverly (Vendemark) Nell.

Randy grew up in Anaheim, Calif., and attended Savannah High School, followed by Santa Ana College, where he studied business and engineering. He was married to his elementary and high school sweetheart, Carol (Topps) Nell, for 53 years. They were married on June 17, 1967, in Orange, Calif.

Randy joined the U.S. Air Force and served from 1967 – 1971 in London, England, as a communications expert during the Vietnam War.

He worked as a quality engineer and then went on to become the director of quality at several companies, including Itron, Inc. in Spokane, Wash., from 1988 - 1998, and Esterline Corporation in Coeur d’Alene, where he retired in 2013.

Randy enjoyed fishing, camping, photography, traveling with his wife and watching any and all sports, but his favorite pastime was golfing with his many friends and three sons as often as possible. He also spent many years coaching Little League Baseball, where he was able to coach all three of his sons, Gregg, Doug and Clay.

Randy went home to his father and mother, John and Beverly, and is survived by his wife, Carol Nell, who lives in Coeur d’Alene. He also has three sons: Gregg Nell and his wife, Lorie (Post Falls, Idaho), Doug Nell and his wife, Jennifer (Kuna, Idaho), and Clay Nell and his wife, Maxine (Kuna). He has two brothers: Sam Nell (deceased) and Gus Nell and his wife, Loraine (Clear Lake, Calif.). He had nine nieces and three nephews, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at the Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, 373 East Hayden Ave., Hayden, Idaho.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Randy’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.