Randy Merchant Crowder, 71, son of the late Alma Merchant Crowder and Charlie Randolph Crowder, died on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at his home in Newberry. Born on September 10, 1945 in Newberry, SC, he graduated from Newberry High School, attended Clemson University (always a Tiger fan), and earned his degree in Business from Presbyterian College. Randy was a veteran of the US Army, serving in Vietnam in the late 1960s. He was a proud American who continued to fly his tattered flag through his final days. Baptized into the Presbyterian Church, he later became a member of the Episcopal Church. He enjoyed attending the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Newberry. His working career included positions with the SC Drug and Alcohol Commission and later as a Nursing Home Administrator in the Northeast area of our country. He was unique in character, clearly believing that his way was the right way and often allowed his pride to lead the way. But Randy also had a kindness and a desire to help and support others in various ways. His dream was to build his ideal home on the family farm where he grew up in order to enjoy country life and continue his hobbies. Trips to the beach were fun times for Randy. He had a love of art and was quite eclectic in his choice of pieces. He also had a green thumb and loved his potted plants and yard flowers. Randy was a vegetable gardener and took pleasure in canning and freezing his garden bounty, gathering fruits and making jellies and jams, and spent hours picking out pecans. Survivors include his sister, Christie Whitaker and her husband Doggett of Newberry; brother, Don Crowder and his wife Denie of Spartanburg; sons, Scott Crowder and his wife Elizabeth and Brian Crowder and his wife Mary, all of Mountville; grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family members, friends and his greatest canine companion "Tinker". Visitation will be on Friday March 10 from 6:00 until 7:00 PM at Whitaker Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 4 PM on Saturday, March 11 at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Newberry, SC conducted by the Rev. Matthew Titus. Burial will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens. Memorials are suggested to the Woody Cornwell, Jr. Art Scholarship, Newberry College, 2100 College St., Newberry, SC 29108. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.