Randal Lee McCorvey of League City, Texas passed away on Monday, March 16, 2020, following a four-year courageous battle with lung cancer. Randal was the ultimate warrior throughout, always remaining hopeful, positive, encouraged and handling each new diagnosis and treatment with courage and strength. As a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Randal lovingly cared for his family first and foremost. Randal was also a loving and devoted son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Gwen McCorvey, and his children, Philip McCorvey and wife Janice of Edmonds, Washington, Nicole Gerber and husband Lowell of League City, and Jeffrey McCorvey and wife Celeste of Windsor, Colorado, as well as grandchildren Abigail and Charlie McCorvey, Braden and Cameron Froning, Cole Gerber, Liam McCorvey and Evan Hall. He is also survived by his brother Donald L. McCorvey, Jr. and wife Sally and numerous nieces and nephews. Randal is preceded in death by his parents Donald L. and Rose McCorvey, father and mother in-law Coleman and Ruby Mabry, and sister-in-law Helen McCorvey.
Randal, a native Texan, was born on September 13, 1943, in Galveston, Texas, where he attended local public schools, graduating from Galena Park High School in 1961. Throughout his life, Randal was motivated and driven to always be his best self. That same motivation and drive, along with his unwavering faith, strength, determination, hope, and a fighting spirit, saw him through his battle with cancer. Randal knew the value of hard work and instilled those values in his children. Upon graduation from high school, Randal attended the University of Texas at Austin prior to joining the U.S. Army in which he served for two years. He and Gwen married in 1964 following a four-year courtship. They enjoyed his years of service while stationed in San Francisco and later in Germany. Upon discharge from the Army they moved to Dallas where Randal attended Control Data Institute to study computer programming. Following completion of his studies they returned to the Houston area where they lived for 33 years and his children attended Cy-Fair schools. The McCorvey house on the cul-de-sac on Jay Creek Court was always a happy gathering place for family, friends, and neighbors – full of fun, laughter, and good times. Whether watching his sons play baseball or football or watching Nicole perform with the Cy-Creek Silverados, Randal was always a proud and supportive Dad. Watching his children grow and become young adults and parents brought him great joy.
Randal enjoyed a long and satisfying career following completion of his studies at Control Data Institute, initially as a computer programmer where he resolved computer problems and later in sales of computer software and services. His specific area of expertise was with software used for locating oil and gas and it was this expertise that later led to his recruitment by Fugro Jason where he worked in the oil patch. His employment with Fugro Jason took him to Jakarta, Indonesia for three years followed by a transfer to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for five years, an opportunity which he considered an experience of a lifetime.
Following their years in Southeast Asia, Randal made the decision to retire from corporate life and return home to spend time with his children and grandchildren and pursue other interests. He and Gwen settled in League City, Texas where he continued a lifelong interest in studying and investing in the stock market, following national politics, avidly supporting the Republican Party, watching major league televised sports, attending his League City grandchildrens’ sporting events, and traveling to Washington State and Colorado to visit his sons and their families. Randal was a firm yet loving father and grandfather and enjoyed every opportunity he had to spend time with them. He was loved and admired by everyone who knew him for his great infectious laugh, his spirit, his compassion, his vast knowledge in many areas, his interest in and support of others, and his devotion to his family. He will be remembered by all who knew and loved him for the truly special man he was.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and funeral services will be held on Friday, March 20th at 10:00 a.m., at Forest Park East Funeral Home located at 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598. Burial will be held on Monday, March 23rd, at Houston National Veterans Cemetery, located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038.
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