Deacon Randy Canale peacefully embraced the warmth of heavenly light Friday, February 23, 2024, surrounded by his family. There will be a visitation from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. followed by a Vigil Service and Rosary at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Christ the King Cathedral. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, March 1, 2024, at Christ the King Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. with the Most Reverend Bishop Robert Coerver presiding.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations to Christ the King Cathedral Church or the CTK School Foundation, the Deacon Randy & Cindy Canale Endowed Scholarship Fund, 4011 54th Street, Lubbock, TX 79413, or the charity of your choice.
Randy was born December 19, 1945, in Memphis, TN to John Ford Canale and Dorothy S. Canale. He graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, TN. It was during this time he met the love of his life and the only person known to calm his lively spirit, Cindy Combs whom he married on March 25, 1964. He attended the University of Tennessee and Memphis State University before becoming involved in the cotton business. In 1972 he and Cindy moved with their three young sons Michael, Shawn, and David to Lubbock. Randy and Cindy established Canale Cotton Company in 1975 where they were later joined by all three sons. Like anything else Randy put his heart and mind to, he was all in. Randy served as president of the Lubbock Cotton Exchange and Texas Cotton Association.
Randy was a devout Catholic and attended daily mass throughout his life. Active in many church organizations including Serra Club, Catholic Charities, and Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, founding member of the Catholic Foundation of the South Plains and member of the Knights of Columbus. He and Cindy led the RCIA program at CTK for 18 years working together to encourage spiritual growth and welcoming new members to the Catholic faith. On December 7, 1996, Randy was ordained to the Diaconate and devoted his ministry to the sick, homeless, and grieving. He was a faithful servant to his church and community for over 40 years, taking communion to the sick and homebound and caring for the least among us.
Randy’s list of interests was endless. A lover of golf, all things fishing and wild game, Randy was well known for his fried rattlesnake and whiskey sours. There was always an extra plate at their dinner table as he loved entertaining family and friends. He was happiest when surrounded by his family, especially his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John Canale and Warren Canale, granddaughter Sarah Canale and daughter-in-law Melissa Canale.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy, sons Michael Canale, Jr. (Angela), Shawn Canale (Laurie), and David Canale (Edie) all of Lubbock. Grandchildren Lauren Canale (Tyler), Candice Garza (Harvey), Ryan Canale, Ethan Canale, Ford Canale and Ella Canale. Brothers Bevan Canale (Ann) of Miramar Beach, FL, Sturla Canale (Pat), sister Lynn Lifsey (Deacon Bill), sisters-in-law Pat Canale and Cheryl Canale all of Memphis, TN.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of Lubbock for their kindness and care of Randy especially Veronica Buescher, Ashley Luna, Cheyenne Gordon and Beverly McBeath as well as dear friend Kathy Felts. A very special thank you to Deacon Steve and Catherine Tjia for bringing Holy Communion every day.
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