Randall Harley Elam," Word Smith" Extraordinaire, lawyer and life long learner put away his legal pads and fancy pens on January 5 leaving a lasting legacy of service, generosity and memories.  His dry wit, questioning mind and search for justice were an integral part of his life.  Randy was a trickster-he loved the word games and catching you out on a technicality.  Even while he was in the hospital, he was still having fun debating/challenging the staff and practicing his lawyer language.

Randy' law practice was located at the Law Offices of Woodard, Hernandez, Roth and Day, LLC until his retirement in 2022. He practiced law for 49 years.   His practice areas included Federal Employers Liability Law, Medical Malpractice Law, Health & Hospital Law, and Insurance Law (Litigation). Randy enjoyed the court room and the opportunity to interact with all parties.

Randy was born in Wichita, Kansas to Harley and Dorothy (Keck) Elam. Randy had a sister Susan.   Randy was a proud graduate of Wichita High School North. Randy's college and law school education included University of Kansas, Class of 1972, B.S., University of Kansas Law, Class of 1975, J.D

When not practicing law, Randy spent the "Driver Dad" years (mid 80s to 2000) traveling across the US attending golf tournaments, Kelly's softball tournaments, Kansas lake ski trips and Colorado snow skiing trips.  These travels also gave him an opportunity to allow for his "educational excursions" to Crazy Horse or any museum along the way. Traveling to Europe became his passion later on in life-England, Spain, Italy and Greece just to mention a few of the countries he visited.   The museums were especially fascinating to him as he explored the culture and history of each country.  He would spend days researching and learning about the places he would be touring. His quest for learning was exhausting. He was always ready to share something new he had learned.

Randy played a mean round of golf, racquet ball, snow skied, water skied and snorkeled. He had a very active life and enjoyed his life's adventure! Randy was an avid sports fan and never missed his Jayhawk basketball games on television.

Survivors include his wife, Valerie Philips, daughter, Kelly Elam (Ed Kelzer), granddaughter, Quinn Kelzer, brother-in-law, Alan Gunkle and nieces, Briana Buonomo, son Nicholas and Cara Werts Blevins (Neil) and daughter Sophie. He will be missed by his adoring Shi Zhu's, Kronos, Hercules and Guinevere.  Randy was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Susan and his stepmother, Alice Elam.

Celebration of Life service will be held at West Heights United Methodist Church, 745 N Westlink, Saturday, March 8 at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Randy's name to United Methodist Open Door, PO Box 2756, Wichita, Kansas 67201 or to The American Cancer Society.

"But in the end it's only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass." —Samwise Gamgee