Randy D. Larson

Randy D. Larson October 9, 1963 – October 2, 2022 Randy Duane Larson passed away suddenly from an auto accident on October 2, 2022. Randy was a loving father, grandfather, son, uncle, partner and friend to many. Randy was born on October 9, 1963, to Norval and Judy (Ramos) Larson at Vallejo General Hospital. He attended Vallejo schools and graduated from Hogan High School in 1982. Randy was a hard worker from a young age, following the work ethic of his father Norval, stepfather Ray Newton and Grandfather Ray Ramos. Working at Hart’s Union 76 station and the neighborhood pie shop, (where he would frequently take home the left-over pies,) he saved enough money to buy his mom a new dishwasher, which made her so happy. Growing up in Vallejo in the 1960’s and 70’s meant Randy and his friends took part in the Kentwig Lanes bowling league, East Vallejo Little League and the annual Soap Box Derby - in a car that Ray Newton helped him and his sister Laurie build. One of Randy’s closest childhood friends in the neighborhood was Paul Fowler. Paul’s mom Judy, and Randy’s mom Judy, would pack all their kids in a station wagon and take them on summer camping trips with their pop-up trailer. Randy was exceptionally close to his grandparents, Ray and Bev Ramos. He called Grandpa Ray “The Chief,” and they had great times hunting duck, dove and pheasant in the areas of Knights Landing, Meridian and Gray Lodge, along with his uncle Mike Ramos and great friend Mike Samansky. Randy loved “The Chief” dearly and would always “have a shot of Crown” while remembering and reminiscing about those days. As a child, Randy and Grandma Bev would take a taxi to Newberry’s and have a Downtown Tuna Sandwich at the lunch counter. After Randy got a little older, he loved to call Grandma Bev with one of his alter ego accents and pretend he was someone else, letting the call go on as long as he could until she would tell Randy she knew it was him. After graduating from high school, Randy joined Ray Newton at ThermoKing and took a Dale Carnegie public speaking course at Diablo Valley College. To this day he would tell people that course changed his life and helped him become successful by giving him more confidence. He followed Ray to Harbor Refer, where Ray wanted him to be Assistant to the President to write repair orders, but Randy wanted to be Operations Manager. Ray agreed, but only after telling Randy he was still going to write repair orders. In 1991, and while Randy was still working at Harbor Reefer, he established Transport Products Unlimited, or “TPU,” in Oakland, CA. The business provided container roll-off trucking, refrigerated container sales and refrigerated container part sales. Randy married Gail Johnson in 1993 and in May of 1995 his son, and light of his life, Nicholas Ray Larson, was born. In March of 2006 TPU moved to its current location in Vallejo, CA., and shortly after started concentrating on sales and modifications of containers. In 2011, TPU acquired a small container rental company with 30 rental units, thus starting his rental fleet which has grown and become an integral part of the business. Randy was so proud of what Transport Products Unlimited has become. His office walls are covered with newspaper articles of the container homes, tire stores, beer gardens and so much more that his company helped create. Not to mention the friendships and relationships he built over the years being part of the National Portable Storage Association. One of Randy’s biggest passions was sprint car racing with his son Nick. Nick started racing at five-years-old at Vallejo Speedway II. Randy immediately fell in love with the sport, spending much of his own time helping to improve that track and later build a new track, now called Dixon Speedway. Randy was President of CORA, California Outlaw Racing Association, and loved every minute of Nick’s racing career. His passion for racing had him supporting and cheering on countless young racers, and sponsored many races himself. Randy rekindled a high school friendship with Carol Brightwell, who became his life partner and love of his life. They had an amazing group of friends that loved traveling, spending time together and making memories that will never be forgotten. With the merger of their families Randy was so happy to have a big extended family and would tell anyone who would listen that he “finally” became a grandfather this year. Randy had a huge heart and an even bigger smile. There are many young adults who still affectionately call him, “Uncle Randy.” He also hired and mentored many young people at Transport Products Unlimited, and most of those young people are now adults with families of their own - holding down jobs using the same work ethic he taught them. Not to mention many of the employees he fired, and then rehired, sometimes more than once. Randy’s passion for friends and family included going on the road with his motorhome – a trip with Aunt Chris to Montana to see Uncle Mike and trips to Sturgis with Drew and Nick. Car shows with VTown Boulevards and his 1961 Chevy Impala organized by his good friend Moe, working out at the gym with his “Gym Dog Curtis”, annual vacations to Cancun and wine tasting in Napa Valley. Randy is survived by his son Nicholas Larson, parents Norval Larson and Judy Newton, stepfather Ray Newton (Linda), loving partner Carol Brightwell, extended family Meagan Subers (Doug), Stephanie Brightwell, Andrew Brightwell (Alicia), and grandson A.J Brightwell. Sister Laurie West, Uncle Mike Ramos (Marty), Aunt Chris Ramos, many nieces and nephews and hundreds of friends that he considered family. There is a Celebration of Life scheduled for Friday, October 21, 2022, 12pm – 4pm, at USA World Classics Museum, 1525 Sonoma Blvd, Vallejo, CA. Cremation and arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo (707) 552-6696. www.TwinChapelsMortuary.com

Randy D. Larson

October 9, 1963 - October 2, 2022