West Virginia Owner, Breeder Funkhouser Dies at 70

Raymond Joseph "Randy" Funkhouser II, an advocate of the West Virginia Thoroughbred community, died peacefully Feb. 4. He was 70.

Funkhouser was born and raised in Charles Town, W. Va. He attended Powhatan School in Boyce, Va., and The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa. He graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in creative writing before returning to Jefferson County to partner with his mother Ruth and mentor Frank Gall in running O'Sullivan Farms. The farm's homebreds included Confucius Say , an 11-time black-type scorer and millionaire. 

Funkhouser was actively involved in the West Virginia Thoroughbred industry and farmland preservation, working tirelessly for decades with legislators and community leaders to protect and enhance the Thoroughbred industry. Funkhouser served as a member of the Charles Town Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association for 25 years, including stints as president for 16 of those years. He served on the boards of the National HBPA, West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association, West Virginia Breeders Classics, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, and was a founding member and organizer of the Charles Town Racetrack Chaplaincy.

Funkhouser followed in the footsteps of his grandfather R.J. Funkhouser in his passion for Jefferson County's rich culture, history, and agriculture. Sons John and Joe carry on their father's legacy in the operation of the family farm and advocacy for horsemen in West Virginia. 

An avid photographer in earlier years, Funkhouser went on to pursue his love of creative writing and recently published a book of poetry, Shenandoah Valley Sketches. 

Funkhouser had a voracious appetite for life, learning, and travel. He had an unbridled hope that each year's foal crop would be the best yet. He was a visionary, a scholar, and above all a man of honor. He had a big heart and laughed and wept equally with abandon. His beaming smile always lit up the room.

Funkhouser possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of family lore, fine wine, Thoroughbred pedigrees, and every book he ever read. He was kind-hearted, generous, and endlessly appreciative of God's creation. He loved the Lord, his family, his farm, his friends, and a good story and was known to tell a good tale. 

Funkhouser is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Clissy, sons John and Joe Funkhouser, daughter Kate Brown, son-in-law Mike Brown, grandson Clyde Brown, sister Ann Strite-Kurz, and a vast network of adoring family and friends and his loyal dog Finnegan. He is preceded in death by his mother Ruth Funkhouser, father and step-mother Justin and Carolyn Funkhouser, sisters Carol Funkhouser and Pam Day, and long-time mentor, Frank Gall. His brother Robert Funkhouser passed away Feb. 7.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2:00 pm ET at Covenant Church, 7485 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown, W. Va. The service will be live streamed, and the link can be found on the website, randyfunkhouser.com.

The family invites people to share your memories of Funkhouser on the website. Select "Memorial" from the menu and use the links to share memories via email or to upload pictures.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Charles Town Racetrack Chaplaincy, PO Box 1377, Charles Town, WV 25414; or Friends of Happy Retreat, PO Box 1427 Charles Town, WV 25414; or The Bridge Community Church 114 S. Fairfax Blvd., Ranson WV 25438.