Randal Wynn Merchant

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Randal Wynn Merchant, 63, of DeRidder, Louisiana. Randy is a graduate of DeRidder High School, Class of 1977, who happily retired in 2022 after nearly 40 years of service as an Operator at Boise PCA Paper Mill in DeRidder.

Left to mourn his unexpected passing are his only son, Sean Marx, his mother, Betty Merchant of DeRidder, his sister Lana Brown of Leesville, LA & a host of beloved life-long friends who are more like brothers, along with a many nieces & nephews.

Randy was predeceased by his beloved father, Everett Earl Merchant of DeRidder.

Randy was an avid fisherman, he loved the Spring run of White Perch on Toledo Bend, saltwater fishing out of his old camp at Bayou Choupique in Hackberry. He loved Westerns, John Wayne & reading, country music, Native American Artifacts & Arrowhead hunting. Randy looked forward to annual trips to the Colorado wilderness with his buddy, Steve Temple, where they spent their days 4-wheel trail-riding and basking in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. He was an avid firearms enthusiast, had a soft spot for dogs, and was a wonderful cook. Randy especially enjoyed weekly dinners he prepared alongside his band of Boise ‘brothers,’ who shared their bounties with one another, talked trash, told fishing lies, ruminated on their wild & wooly days over a cigarette & a cold beer.

For those who would like, in lieu of flowers, his family requests that you honor him by donating in memorium to the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Department Animal Shelter in DeRidder.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, May 18 at the Chapel of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home on Hwy 190 West in DeRidder. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9 am. Any friends or family who wish to speak at his eulogy are encouraged to join us. His remains will be interred at Beauregard Cemetery, alongside his dearest father at a later date.