JAMES RANDALL TOOHEY

James Randall Toohey “Randy”, 64, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at the Norton Community Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Shirley Toohey; and two sisters, Dee Dee Toohey and Susan Toohey.

Randy graduated from Coeburn High School in 1977 and worked a successful career at Paramount Coal Company for the next decade. Randy began volunteering as an emergency medical technician with the Coeburn Rescue Squad in high school and started working at Friendship Ambulance Service in 1987, where he eventually became a critical care paramedic and served in that role until 2013. Randy’s passion was caring for people, and he held paramedic certifications in multiple states and received numerous service awards.

In 2009, Randy married Brenda and they shared 14 fulfilling years together. Randy received an associate degree in emergency medical technology from Mountain Empire Community College in 2010 before achieving his life-long dream of becoming a flight paramedic with Air-Evac in 2013. He assisted over 500 critical patients in his first three years at Air Evac before ultimately retiring from 48 years of medical service in 2019.

Randy was an avid photographer, wildlife enthusiast, and amateur radio hobbyist. He was a respected volunteer and lifetime member of the Coeburn and Wise Rescue Squads. Randy was a caring grandfather to his seven grandchildren.

Randy is survived by wife, Brenda Toohey; two sons, Michael and Daniel Toohey; brother, Harry Toohey; and numerous extended family, including step-children, Scott Sanders and Brittany Cowan; grandchildren, Liam Toohey, Isaac Toohey, Brylee Richardson, Hadleigh Sanders, Ryan Sanders, Mabry Cowan, and Jace Cowan.

A memorial service for Randy Toohey will be held at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Pastor Roger Barker officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. till time of services at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, VA. In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial contributions be made to Wise Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1161 Wise, VA 24293. Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.