Randy Gordon Lytle

Randy Gordon Lytle of Eagle Valley, Nevada, passed away September 12, 2024 in Cedar City, Utah, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 19, 1948 to Gordon Roy and Betty Joe Lytle in Pioche, Nevada.

Randy grew up in Eagle Valley with his sister Linda and brother Kim. He had a wonderful childhood in the Valley. For him, it didn’t get any better. He began school in the one-room schoolhouse behind the corrals. It just so happens that he started school a year early because his best friend Shannadean Hammond was starting and he would follow her up there every day. After a few days of this, the teacher convinced Gordon and Betty that they might as well let him join the others.

The school in Eagle Valley closed in 1956 and he attended Pioche Elementary, and then Lincoln County High School. In high school, he was active in many activities including band, chorus and sports. He was a member of the Block “L,” Honor Society; and was Senior Ball King and Senior Class President.

After graduating LCHS in 1965, he attended Dixie College and the College of Southern Utah, now known as SUU. At SUU, he was a member of the rodeo team and competed in bareback and bull riding. He graduated from SUU in 1969.

Randy began his teaching career soon after at Pioche Elementary in 1969, primarily teaching 8th grade. This is also where he began coaching basketball for 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Teaching in Pioche allowed him to be back home to help his father Gordon and his Uncle Ken on the Lytle Brothers Ranch. This helped form his work ethic and performance standard for the rest of his life. Randy was a constant presence on the ranch. Whether it was helping feed after work, moving cows on weekends, or haying during the summers, Ken and Gordon relied on him a great deal.

Randy married Toni Rae Cottino on June 19, 1970 in Pioche. They had four children: Shawn Randy, Cory Lee, Autumn Lynn and Amber Dawn. He was a great supporting father and he and Toni never wasted a minute in going the extra mile to provide what the kids needed.

In 1974, Randy began his pursuit of a master’s degree in Flagstaff, Arizona and finished up the program at Utah State University, graduating with a master’s in education in 1980.
Randy moved to Lincoln County High School in 1981 where he primarily taught US Government, US History, Current Events, Geography, along with coaching JV Basketball. He brought into the classroom a host of “hands-on” experiences, such as mock murder trials, drug busts, and other interactions with local government leaders. He had a quiet and light-hearted way of setting a high standard in his classes and low-key demand for students to learn. To better engage his students, there was often humor and playful badgering to keep the setting fun. Nobody was immune to a joke here and there. He also pioneered the school’s weight training program, with a curriculum based on muscular anatomy, physiology and daily workout regimens.

In 1982, Randy began the Close-Up program. For 18 years, he took a group of students on an annual trip to Washington D.C. and colonial Williamsburg. This week-long adventure was a true learning experience for the students at LCHS as they toured historic monuments, sat in on learning sessions with our legislators and got a taste of our federal government. Toni accompanied Randy on many of these trips and was key in helping students earn money to be able to make the trip.

Randy was very proud of the strong staff he worked with at LCHS during these years. This staff had a great impact on thousands of students and he was happy to be a small part of it. He also was proud of the many basketball teams he coached and young athletes whom he helped along the way. He retired from the school district in 2000 after 31 years of service. He then transitioned to ranching full time. This was important as Ken and Gordon were getting older and he helped to pick up some slack. He really enjoyed the ranching lifestyle and time spent with friends and family while working cows and the day-to-day ranch routine. After the passing of his sister Linda and brother Kim, and when his mom Betty passed away in 2004, Randy took on a bigger roll helping Gordon out.

Randy had many hobbies and possessed a variety of skills outside of teaching, coaching and ranching. He was a good stone mason and leather craftsman. He was an avid reader and enjoyed time spent with good books. He enjoyed taking the family on picnics, camping and hunting. He loved to hunt and shoot rifles and pistols. Deer hunting in the fall was very special and he would work tirelessly for days getting things ready for a good hunt. This was also done in conjunction with gathering cows in the fall and the annual cattle sale. He made the very best of it.

As time went on, he decided to become a full-time grandpa. He was also able to address the robust list of landscape projects that Toni had designed for the yard. He enjoyed going for rides out in the hills anytime there was a chance. He had a simple and genuine appreciation for the little things, such as quiet mornings, pretty sunsets and cool mountain springs.

He is survived by his loving wife Toni, of 54 years; his children: Shawn (Jennifer), Cory (Kylea), Autumn and Amber; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father Gordon, mother Betty, sister Linda and brother Kim.
The family would like to extend its sincere appreciation for the love and support of the community. We truly live in a special place. We would also like to thank Three Peaks Assisted Living and Zion’s Way Hospice in Cedar City.