Randall Steven Smith
Randall Steven Smith, lifelong Washington State resident, passed away too young Aug. 30, 2024, in Moses Lake, Wash., at the age of 48. He was born Aug. 10, 1976, in Tacoma, Wash., to Dorathy W. Smith who preceded him in death earlier this year on May 9, 2024, and his father, Ronald S. Dorrah, in 1976 prior to Randall’s birth.
Randall, known by others as Randy, graduated high school through Washington State Job Corps in White Swan, Wash., in 1996. He was raised with his sister in Puyallup, Tacoma, and then Port Orchard and Ephrata, Wash., areas before entering Job Corps to complete his high school education.
Randy was so much more than people in Moses Lake got to see. Randy loved animals and his favorite was a golden retriever he named M.D. Randy had a knack for mechanics and loved to cook. As a young child he would bake pies and desserts with his Uncle William R. Zaikawsky (deceased), and fry donuts from Pilsbury biscuit dough. Throughout his life, Randy loved '80s rock’n’roll which always seemed to brighten his spirit. He was one of the kindest and most generous people we have ever known.
From 1992 until 1995, Randy’s mother Dorathy was married to the owner of the State Central Speedway racetrack which brought him and the family to Ephrata to run the racetrack together. He loved the action of the races and helping cook food in the concession stands. After Job Corps training was completed, Randy moved back to Port Orchard, and then to Moses Lake with Dorathy after being diagnosed with a mental health disorder. He was able to work for quite a few more years, until his mental health prevented him from keeping a job.
Randy stayed close to his mother and the family through the years. About two years ago, Randy began kidney dialysis for a genetic disease called Polycystic Kidney Disease. The same disease his mother had. With mental illness, kidney disease, diabetes and congestive heart failure affecting his life, medication management and a proper diet were crucial. Because his mental health dominated his life, his family was unable to manage his needs, and he ended up homeless in 2023. This is sadly the only way many in our community came to know him.
Randall’s family begged Washington resources from medical doctors to Adult Protective Services to the Attorney General’s Office for help. With no success due to a woefully ineffectual and impotent system that seemed, almost by design, to neglect and victimize the people it is supposed to help.
Over the last year, with Randy homeless, it made keeping up with his needs nearly impossible. Randy died without ever receiving the help he so desperately needed. Laws with their minimal standards of competency made it impossible for mental, medical and social work professionals to evaluate Randy’s competency and needs and the family could not find answers from any contacts on how to get this done.
Randy suffered death very slowly and very lonely because no one could manage his mental health or living situation and APS could not investigate because he did not meet their limited criteria. The fact that he was over 18 but under 60 was the most limiting, though it was clear to all professionals that interacted with him that he was not competent and needed help.
Even becoming well liked and cared about amongst first responders and some health care professionals in Moses Lake. Randy’s quality of life could have been helped and his health managed and life prolonged if the mental and medical health laws supported a more practical approach for medical providers and families to work together to get competency evaluations sooner rather than later. Not only did Randy suffer, but we as his family suffered with him and still suffer with the fact that we didn’t know how to help him the way he truly needed, and the state laws and policies prevented him from getting the help he deserved.
Despite the failure of the Washington State mental, medical and legal systems comprised of laws that make it too easy for loved ones with mental illness to fall through the cracks and die as my brother did, there were countless individual professionals within these systems that saw his suffering and tried to help as best they could. From kind words, to food, to clothes, to red Gatorade, to a little money, to a blanket, to letting Randy just sit in their lobbies; these were priceless gifts of mercy and showed real humanity.
“The one showing favor to the lowly is lending to Jehovah, And He will repay him for what he does.” Proverbs 19:17, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Randall Steven Smith was a son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew and friend. He was and is loved. He is now resting in Jehovah God’s memory, and I know we will see him in the resurrection, healthy and perfect, lacking nothing.
“And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 24:15, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Thank you to the individuals within these professional departments who helped him in this community: Moses Lake Police Department, Moses Lake Fire Department, Life Flight teams, Samaritan Hospital ER and admitting teams, Confluence Internal Medicine, CW Hospital staff, Fresenius Kidney Care team, Renew Services staff, Key Bank Staff, and individual friends on the street who helped him rather than exploit him. It can be too easy for the homeless and mentally ill to be frustrating and forgotten. You all helped as you could, but I know you all wish you could have done more. We can only hope that those who helped my brother will take what you learned in his situation and pay it forward, meet people like him where they are and think about how you can be a positive help to them and their families. The care you showed for Randy is priceless and will never be forgotten.
“They asked only that we keep the poor in mind, and this I have also earnestly endeavored to do.” Galatians 2:10, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Randy was preceded in death by his father, Ronald S. Dorrah of Puyallup; mother Dorathy W. Smith of Eatonville (Moses Lake); uncle William R. Zaikawsky; and cousin William Rusty Zaikawsky.
Randy is survived by his sister, Elizabeth W. Kraft of Moses Lake; brother-in-law Matthew P. Kraft; niece Micah W. Cruz of Moses Lake; Nephew Cameron J. Cruz of Moses Lake; Aunt Suzanne Cunningham; Cousins; extended family; and Paternal family, including half-siblings.
Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/RANDYSS. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.
Randy at a young age with his sister, Elizabeth. The siblings were close and Elizabeth is grateful for all of the care first responder agencies provided to him.