Randall Lee ("Randy") Laxton

Randall Lee Laxton, 61, of the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died on December 7, 2022, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh after a short illness.

Randy—a magnetic, dynamic, and beloved presence and a friend to all—was born on August 14, 1961, to Mary Grace St. John Laxton and Carl Laxton in Okinawa. His mother raised him in Bluefield, West Virginia.

He attended West Virginia University, studying lighting design, and earned a B.A. in Theater in the early 1980s. He retired from the hospitality industry after working in a wide variety of many other capacities.

A brilliantly talented photographer with a natural eye for beauty in a world he saw through unique eyes; he was especially gifted with landscape and pet photography as well as being a film enthusiast and screenwriter. He participated actively in the Pittsburgh filmmaking community, particularly through the group Sunday Night Live, as a producer, and through Carnegie Screenwriters, as a member of the board.

Randy, a nurturing and generous soul, is survived by Jarrell D. Wright, his partner of 24 years; by siblings Donna (Lee) Schruben, Richard (Mary) Laxton, Robert (Carolyn) Laxton, James (Kathy) Laxton, George Laxton, and sister-in-law Mary Sherry Laxton; by beloved dogs Jack and Shiloh; and by hundreds of dear friends far and near. He was preceded in death by his brother David Laxton, by his parents, and by precious dogs Tia and Mya.

We will gather to remember and celebrate Randy’s life on Monday December 12 at 3 P.M. with services at 3:30 P.M. in the Edward P. Kanai Funeral Home 500 Greenfield Ave 15207. Randy’s dear friend Christopher Scott will deliver the eulogy, speaking on Randy’s life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Raleigh County (WV) Humane Society www.hsrcwv.org in Randy’s memory

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