Big-hearted motorcycle lover leaves legacy of caring for others
Randy Santifer lived life on his own terms, right up until the end. The legacy of his lifelong passions — helping others and riding motorcycles — continues to ripple through Butte and surrounding areas.
It really was amazing how Randy could fix anything mechanical. He just almost instinctively knew how to fix a machine when it broke down. He was handy, resourceful, and always willing to go out of his way to help anyone in need.
He was a lifelong lover of motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, you name it and he turned that love into a career. Randy was the southern-talking service dude at several local repair shops, owned his own business, ATV Safety, and worked for the PEAK as a motorized mobility instructor where he helped military service members with riding and mechanical skills. He loved the military classes and all the experiences that came with it. He had quite the collection of anything that moves at home as well.
Randy also liked to volunteer at local events when he had time and was a volunteer at the Elk Park Volunteer Fire Department for many years.
Randy had a huge heart and LOVED to see his family happy. He would do anything for us, even if he shouldn’t, just to see a smile on our faces. Randy was very giving and caring and would get very excited for birthdays, Christmas, and taking his granddaughter Avery anywhere.
Randy married Tina Dark on April 4, 1980, in Jonesboro, Louisiana. They had one son, Joey (JD) Santifer in 1980. They made the move to Butte, Montana in 1991 for a new life adventure and Randy’s work. Randy and Tina eventually moved to Elk Park where they loved living in nature and it gave Randy a chance to use his toys (snow blower, tractors, ATVs, snowmobiles) year-round.
Randy loved his family and we loved him too. This is a devastating loss for our family, and he will be terribly missed.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Santifer, and father-in-law, Joseph W. Dark Jr.
He is survived by his mother, Margie Barber; his wife of 42 years, Tina Santifer; his son and daughter-in-law, Joseph (JD) and Nicole Santifer; and grandchild, Avery Santifer.
He is also survived by his Louisiana family — siblings, Tammy (Ernie) Stevens and their daughter Kelcie Valentine, and Tina (Roger) Murray and their son and daughter Kyle and Kelli Murray; stepmother, Pat Santifer; mother-in-law, Velma Dark; brothers-in-law, Chris, Mack, Sam and Kevin Dark and their families and extended families; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Randy also had a wealth of friends, including Willie Clausen.
A coffee and cupcake visitation for people to pay their respects to Randy’s family will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the Elk Park meeting room inside the La Quinta Inn, 1 Holiday Park Drive, Butte, Montana, 59701. A full obituary will be published on Sunday June 5th. Memorials in honor of Randy are suggested to the Elk Park Fire Hall, 19 Lumberjack Rd., Butte, Montana, 59701, or the Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter in Butte.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Clyde.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Clyde and his family.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 PM to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 4, 2022
"Elk Park" meeting room inside the La Quinta Inn
1 Holiday Park Drive
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 PM to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 4, 2022
"Elk Park" meeting room inside the La Quinta Inn
1 Holiday Park Drive
Butte, Montana 59701
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Sherri Lampi says
Tina. Iam so sorry for the loss of Randy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sherri Lampi
Jennifer Kueffler says
Tina, I am so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of you.
Jen Kueffler
Mark & Merri Galetti says
Tina and family, We are heartbroken we all loved Randy. The fire department and community will never be the same. We are praying God will hold, comfort and love you In this time of sadness. We love you Tina
linda mehrlich says
tina , i am so sorry for your loss. i am heartbroken. aunt linda
Tom Holman says
Tina and family we are both so sorry for your loss our prayers are with you Tom and Evonne
Tommy Stolarz says
Tina and Joey,
I can not put to words how heartbroke I am about randy passing away, He was a great friend and Like a brother to me,
he will be missed dearly, any thing I can do for you and Joey, Please let me know.
Tommy Stolarz
Clif Lamar says
Tina and family, I’m so sorry for the loss of Randy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I have so many great memories of Cousin Randy growing up, most involved riding minibikes and motorcycles. I remember one occasion we were at Mamaw and Papaw Lamar’s. In the distance we began hearing and then seeing a motorcycle coming up the road ditch and as it drew near, we could see it was Randy, wide-open-throttle, and grinning from ear to ear. He had ridden the two or more miles from their house in the ditch alongside Hwy 80 on what at one time had been a Honda XR 75 but was now a combination of just enough spare parts he had assembled to make it run. When I think of Randy, I go back to that day with him flying out of the ditch just ahead of the dust storm he created laughing out loud without a care in the world. He will be dearly missed.
Clif Lamar
Dee Chatriand says
Tina and family we are so saddened to hear of Randy’s passing and you are in our thoughts and prayers. May memories give you comfort. Bruce and Dee Chatriand
Cindy Galbavy says
Tina, Joe and Family,
We are so sadden to hear about Randy’s passing. Our community will miss him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Deepest Sympathy
Chad, Cindy, Heath and Case Galbavy
Wilene Lester says
Tina and family, We were so sorry to hear the loss of Randy. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers🙏🏻
Love,
Jim & Wilene Lester
Jeff and Jill honer says
Tina and family: So sorry to hear this sad news and he will be missed very much. The first thing that came to mind about Randy was his commitment to train our motorized recreational community to be safe on our trails. He was fun to be with and a good man!
Susan Asanovich says
I am so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man. I had the pleasure of meeting Randy through his mother, my classroom grandma Margie. He was truly the best. He was taken way to soon.
Wayne Triplett says
I am so sorry to hear that Randy passed away. Our prayers and condolences are with you Tina and your family. All the memories I have of Randy were awesome. When I moved to Butte and I started working for Quality Supply and Murdoch’s is when I first knew Randy and you. I loved talking with him. He bought a Can Am atv from me and when we had our annual ATV fun run he was there. He was a great friend that I loved talking to when I saw him. Again my condolences to you and your family.