Randall (Randy) Dean Morton, M.D., 73, formerly of Nebraska, died Sept 7 in Fresno, Calif., following a brief hospitalization. Randy is survived by his mother, two sisters, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Morton, and his wife Denise Renee Evans Morton.
As a child, Randy and his family survived the historic 1955 Scottsbluff tornado, when his family’s home was lost. Randy graduated from Scottsbluff Senior High School in 1970; graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln; and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, in Omaha. He completed residencies in the Department of Anesthesiology and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Randy practiced anesthesiology and taught as an assistant professor of anesthesiology and as a clinical instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. While there, he participated in research involving the effects of medications on the pregnant patient and human fetus. He also helped the transplant surgeons conduct research, including small bowel transplantation.
Randy published in peer-reviewed publications such as The Journal of Reproductive Medicine and authored a chapter on perioperative fluid therapy. Prior to his work in Fresno, he was board certified in pediatrics and in anesthesiology.
Randy practiced general pediatrics from 1980-1986 in Fremont, Neb. He then pursued specialization in anesthesiology. In 1991, he joined Valley Children’s Specialty Medical Group in Fresno, where he practiced pediatric anesthesiology for 34 years. While there, he served as co-medical director of perioperative services at Valley Children’s Hospital. He also served as medical staff chairman of the department of anesthesiology and critical care, chairman of the sedation subcommittee, and president of the Pediatric Anesthesia Associates Medical Group.
Randy’s greatest joys were his children and grandchildren and the families and children he served through medicine. He was a lifelong fan of Cornhusker football, of soccer and of traveling with his family.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 27, 2025, at 10:00 am at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720.
A reception will follow in the Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Hospitality Room.
