Randy Dean Waters

Randy Dean Waters, age 71, of Columbia, SC passed away on August 4, 2026. He was born January 28, 1955 in Newton, NC, and graduated from Fred T. Foard High School in 1973.

After working for some years between high school and college, Randy earned an undergraduate degree in English at Gardner-Webb College (now University) in 1981, serving as a student editor and award-winning contributor to the student literary magazine. He loved and appreciated his college experience.

The next year, Randy moved to Chicago, IL, where he lived for 23 years. He had dreams of attending film school, but he also had to earn a living. He settled into corporate life working in Information Technology and had a few different jobs in the city. One of the most memorable for him was with the Quaker Oats Company, where he would travel to plants around the country training payroll workers in shifting from manual to computer-based systems.

In Chicago, Randy had important relationships, including with his first partner, Jim, who sadly later passed away with AIDS, and with his partner, Ken. Randy and Ken built a house near a lake in Wisconsin and commuted to the city for work in Randy’s last years there. As that relationship drew to a close, Randy decided to return to North Carolina to help care for his parents. His father was in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s Disease, and his mother would also suffer with the disease.

Five years after returning to North Carolina, Randy met Brent, who would become his husband in 2014 on the 4th anniversary of their first date. Randy and Brent settled initially in Rock Hill, SC and later moved to Columbia, SC. They were together through the passing of Randy’s parents and sister, the passing of Brent’s parents and a beloved grandmother, as well as three of their dear cats. They had nearly 16 years together in all, and though it was far too short a time, it was filled with love as they made a home and a meaningful life together enjoying their cats, cooking for each other, taking multiple trips to the beach and other destinations, and appreciating books, concerts, movies, visual art, theatre, and lots of good times with friends.

Randy was an especially devoted husband, son, brother, and friend. He possessed a rare equanimity, and was quick to smile, to joke, to laugh, and to forgive. He was a lifelong creative person and wrote an unpublished novel as well as many stories and poems, played musical instruments including acoustic and electric guitar, and was a talented and accomplished photographer. He adored a wide range of music, enjoyed travel, loved animals as well as all of nature, and was happy spending time outdoors. His favorite thing to do in later years was to take his cameras and spend a full day in a natural setting, noticing and capturing detail and the wide scope of beauty in this world.

Even during Randy’s final months and weeks in his own, rapidly advancing struggle with Alzheimer’s, he never lost his ability to smile, to crack a joke, to be grateful and happy, enjoying his life to the best of his ability. For him life was about love and the appreciation of art and beauty in all its forms.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Mareda Waters, and his sister, Debbie Propst. He is survived by his husband, Brent Cagle; sister-in-law Leigh Cagle; nephew, Justin Propst and his wife Becca; as well as longtime friend Tim Lukeman and his wife, Susan.

Randy will be missed by many, especially by his husband, Brent. Randy and Brent each felt that they had found their person when their paths crossed.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Randy made a point to join in their Walks for many years in honor of his parents, and any donations in his memory at this time are greatly appreciated.

There will be no formal memorial service, but instead an informal remembrance at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, where Randy and Brent found a welcoming and healing spiritual home. Those who knew Randy are encouraged to please remember him in your own way in your own time.