Randall Puryear Cheek

Randall Puryear Cheek, 93, of Morehead City, North Carolina, departed his earthly body on July 22, 2025, at his home with his family by his side.

There will be a gathering of family and friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Friday, July 25th at Munden Funeral Home. Randall will be laid to rest privately at Gethsemane Memorial Park.

Randall was the fourth and last son born to the late Kendrick. G. Cheek, Sr. and Janie Smith Cheek on January 8, 1932, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He grew up in Raleigh where he attended public school. He graduated from Hugh Morson High School in 1950. He attended North Carolina State College where he received BS and MS degrees in Wildlife Biology. His college years were interrupted from 1955 until 1957 when he served in the US Army. He completed college after discharge from the army, receiving a BS degree in 1959 and an MS degree in 1961.

During the summer of 1954 he met the love of his life, Shirley Barbour of Durham. Knowing he was soon going in the Army, he and Shirley decided to marry in order to be together during his time in service. They married on January 8, 1955, and he entered service on February 7, 1955. He was placed in a Regimental Combat Team. Since this required field duties much of the time, they decided Shirley should remain home.

After discharge from service, Randall reentered State College. Upon graduation in 1961 he accepted a position with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Beaufort, NC as a fishery biologist. He retired from this position in 1989 after 28 years. After retirement, he worked as a tax preparer with H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt, and as a Realtor with Putnam Real Estate Company in Morehead City. He was a member of Parkview Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School, was a Deacon, and severed on numerous committees.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his son, Timothy (Angie) of Morehead City; daughter, Pam Fallin (Snug) of Morehead City; grandchildren, CJ Fallin of Pikeville, and Courtney Cheever (Tommy) of Newport; and great grandchildren, Bailey Renfrow and Macon Cheever.

In addition to his parents, Randall was preceded in death by his brothers, Kendrick Jr., Stanley, Donald and his loving wife of 70 years, Shirley.

We would like to express our gratitude to the staff of Carteret Health Care Hospice, especially nurse Robin Lingle, for their exceptional care and compassion for our family. We greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers during the difficult days ahead.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Parkview Baptist Church, 4738 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557 or Carteret Health Care Hospice, 3722 Bridges Street, Suite 201, Morehead City, NC 28557.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.