Randall Bennett Haydon

Randall Bennett Haydon, trusting in his faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, entered into glory on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from Bristol, Tenn. He was born in Buffalo, NY on March 4, 1931. He lived many places, but Fairhaven, Mass. was his home town. He is preceded in death by his father, Waldo E. Haydon; his mother, Helen Douglass Haydon; his daughter, Leslie Matatics; and granddaughter, Felicity Matatics. He is survived by Priscilla Haydon, his wife of 64 years at Elmcroft in Bristol, Tenn; his children, Sally (John) Dawson, Douglas (Sharon) Haydon, Laurel (John) Parham and son-in-law, Gerald Matatics; his grandchildren, Amy (Zac) Flowerree, Rachel Dawson, James (Danika) Dawson, John Dawson, Annie Dawson, Kristin (Steve) Holderman, Charles (Jessie) McLean, Haydon Parham, Emilene Parham, Colton Parham, Daniel (Bri) Matatics, Christina Matatics, Stephen (Rachel) Matatics, Michael Matatics, Peter Matatics, Maria Matatics, Rose Matatics, Anastasia Matatics, and Alexander Matatics; and 10 great grandchildren, plus one due in March. He is also survived by his sister, Janice Shurtleff and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He graduated from Fairhaven High School, University of Massachusetts, and University of Illinois where he received his Ph D in Economics. He spent his career teaching economics at Kent State U, Indiana U, and retired from Wichita State University where he was a Distinguished Professor. Dr. Haydon also was brought to Bangkok, Thailand to found the NIDA university by the Ford Foundation. He worked as an accountant while he served in the U.S. Army. After retiring, he spent his winters in Nokomis, Fla. but continued to come home to West Island in Fairhaven, Mass., where he summered almost every year of his life. He was an elder in several churches, helping to found Heartland Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Wichita, Kan. He encouraged many through his discipling, writings, presence, and especially his prayers. It was his habit to keep an appointment with the Lord in prayer early in the morning, praying for many people by name. He wanted others to know Jesus Christ. He was a published author including, "Discovering True Reality: Uncovering a Christian Worldview" dedicated to his children, grandchildren, and adopted in the Lord children. He was an avid sports fan, especially fond of the Boston Red Sox and the WSU teams. He was very active in tennis and golf. Services will be held at Abingdon Presbyterian Church, Abingdon, Va. on Saturday, January 25, 2020, with calling hours at 4:30 p.m. followed by service at 5:30 p.m. There will be calling hours on Friday, January 31st from 4pm to 7pm at Saunders Dwyer Funeral Home in Mattapoisett, Mass Service will be on Saturday, February 1st at 9:30 a.m. and interment at Tabor Cemetery in Acushnet, Mass. to follow. Memorial can be given to Dove House Children's Advocacy Center, 2407 Simonton Rd, Statesville, NC 28625 Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) will be serving the family.