- GARDEN CITY - In his 74 years, Mr. Wilmer "Randell" Kicklighter took on many titles including son, loving brother, adoring husband, business owner, award-winning power lifter and body builder, father of two amazing men, and, of course, doting grandfather, or as he preferred, "Gaga."

Randell was just 18-years-old when he first caught sight of the love of his life, Bessie. Ten months later he took her hand, and it was decided - they ran away, got married, and he made her a Kicklighter too. This was the beginning of a 55-year love affair made for the movies. He served for two years in the United States Army, and the two spent time both stateside and in Germany, which was quite the adventure for a couple of teenagers from South Georgia.

Randell worked harder than most could imagine. After serving his country, Randell worked at Grumman Aircraft and Hercules, and soon decided to go to beauty school to become a hairdresser alongside Bessie. His clients at Randell and Dean's, the salon he owned with her, will claim that getting your hair done by Randell was mainly for the experience. You could not expect a quick trim, because long conversations and endless joking were a must. Randell worked in the salon until his last day; retiring was never an option in his mind.

Each day, after hours of work, Randell would head back to the gym that dons his namesake, Randell's Gym, which just so happens to be the longest-running gym in the Coastal Empire. Lifting weights and educating others about fitness was his passion. In the '60s, Randell won many power lifting championships. Then at the age of 61, he competed in and won national body building competitions.

If an ear was willing to listen, Randell was sure to tell them how truly proud he was of his children and grandchildren's accomplishments. He had two sons, Randy, who preceded him in death, but managed to brighten the lives of many in his 23 short years. And Dean, who worked alongside Randell at the salon, and is a long-standing County Commissioner. His granddaughter, Hannah, graduated from The University of Georgia last May and will be attending Mercer Law School in the fall, and his grandson, Zachary, developed his same work ethic, and works tirelessly in a plant in Savannah.

His love, kindness, and passion for living will be sorely missed. Randell passed away peacefully at home, and lives on through his beloved wife, Bessie, son, Dean, grandchildren, Hannah and Zachary, and his brothers William, Howard (Mary), and Keith (Debbie) Kicklighter, and his sister Joy (Lon) Lewis, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Randy, mother, Carolyn, father, Wilmer, and sister Carolyn.

Visitation will be from 10a.m.-1p.m. at Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home in Pooler on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, directly followed by the funeral at 1p.m. The burial will take place at Westside Memorial Gardens at the conclusion of the funeral service.



Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Homes

West Chatham Chapel

901 W. Hwy. 80

Pooler, GA 31322

912-748-2444