Mackie "Randy" Gromer, son of Myrtle Ritchie Gromer and the late Howard E. Gromer, was born in Dexter on Sept. 8, 1953, and died at the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, La., on July 21, 2006, at the age of 52.

He had lived in Dexter, Jackson, Miss., and Tampa, Fla., before moving to Dry Prong, La., four years ago. He was a graduate of Richland High School and had worked as a heavy equipment operator. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Surviving are one son, Damian Joseph Gromer of Mississippi; two granddaughters; his mother, Myrtle Gromer of Dexter; one brother, Bill H. Gromer of Van Buren; three sisters, Betty J. Lewis of Campbell, Cathy R. Nugent of Montgomery, La., and Lisa D. Delrie of Dry Prong, La.

He was preceded in death by one son, Shawn Mangus.

Visitation was held after 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2006, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter with the Rev. Chris Dixon of Corning, Ark., and the Rev. Jack Lewis of Campbell officiating.

Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery with Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.