You can leave your own memories of Dr. Lofgren, our Waco High Choral Director and founder of the Golden Voices, by using the 'Post Comment' button at the bottom of this page.
You can listen to the Golden Voices album, "Time for Living" - including Dr. Lofgren's rendition of 'I Walk with God' - on our WHS71 website by selecting 'Class History' in the left hand navigation bar, then select '1971 Golden Voices', or just click here - http://www.wacohigh1971.com/
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Randy Lofgren - Jan. 11, 1940 - Dec. 26, 2014
Dr. Randy Lofgren left his earthly home, Skybird's Perch, on Friday, December 26, 2014.
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 11, 1940 to Carl and Virginia Lofgren, Randy was reared in Houston before graduating from Milby High School and then attending Baylor University. Randy met Jeanine Haube during his student years at Baylor. They married in 1962 and had two children, Wendy and Kevin. While residing in Waco, Dr. Lofgren served as Minister of Music at Calvary Baptist Church and as choral director at Waco High School. In 1974, the Lofgren family moved to Jefferson City, Tennessee where Randy was a part of the music faculty at Carson Newman College and created and directed the touring musical group, Something Special. He continued his career in music at Lakeside Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida. He then served at First Baptist Church Duncanville, Texas and later as choral director at Duncanville High School. In 1988, Randy began his association with Baylor University as an administrator. He retired in May of this year as Associate Vice President of Constituent Engagement after 26 years of dedicated and passionate service to the University. His tireless effort, visionary spirit, and unquenchable belief in the undeveloped potential of every individual defined his every endeavor. He is known to many as mentor, encourager, counselor, teacher and friend.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanine Lofgren; his daughter, Wendy Lofgren Smith and husband, Mark, and their children, Jessica, Allison, Hannah, and Lance; his son, Kevin Lofgren and wife, Shari, and their children, Finley and Owen; his loving sister, Karla, and her husband, Ed Davis; and nephews, Jonathan and Matt Davis and their families.
The family has sincere appreciation for staff at Providence Hospice Place who provided excellent care in a very personal way.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Randy and Jeanine Haube Lofgren Endowed Scholarship Fund in Music-440SFAN, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97050, Waco, TX 76798 or The Doc and Jeanine Lofgren Skybird Music Scholarship, Carson Newman University, Carson Newman Advancement, P.O. Box 529, Jefferson City, TN 37760.
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Dr. Lofgren wrote this article on the history of the Golden Voices for our 40th reunion in 2011:
"In the fall of 1965 I first took the reins, so long held by Ken Howard, of the entire choral program at Waco High School. I had worked with the junior choirs in a joint capacity with Ken in the 64-65 school year.
As I began to think of how to create distinctive indications of a new day under my baton (which was difficult, given the outstanding performance of WHS choirs for decades) I thought it would be interesting to produce an album of choral Christmas music to be sold to the community. When I began to work with the custom academic recording label it just somehow didn't get it to say "Century Recording presents an album of Christmas music by the Senior Chorus of Waco High School."
I had been successful in acquiring new gold robes for the choir that fall and I reflected on the school colors being gold and white. I asked the recording company representative about commercializing the title somewhat, playing down the company and emphasizing the choir. The rep said that would be fine but that no one in the United States was doing that about which he was aware. That was all I needed to hear.
So, when the album came out the title on the cover was "Sing We Now of Christmas by the Golden Voices of Waco High." The rest is history as they say. The #1 choir carried that name for as long as I was conducting and for a few years after that until it fell out of vogue. My last concert as conductor of the Golden Voices was at graduation in Waco Hall in May of 1971."
Edith Alexander (Lancaster)
Dear family, God needed another Golden Voice and He chose the best....... Rejoice in his life and remember his love, for Mr Lofgren was a wonderful person thru and thru and it shows with his family.. Bless you all..
Bob McGregor
Looking back, we probably did not know what great teachers we had at our school. God bless Mr. Lofgren's family. He was a blessing and we are grateful he was ours for a period of time in our youth.Charles Frazier
Dr. Lofgren exemplified all the characteristics of a "true Teacher" more than anyone else I sat under. His professionalism was obviously felt, yet he remained humble and approachable. When mistakes were made, he'd laugh with you and not at you. Waco High had many great teachers, but seeing Dr.Lofgren's ever cheerful smile was the bright spot in many of my days at WHS. I know my feelings are universally shared by all the students who had the good fortune of knowing him. Thanks to his family that shared this wonderful man.Ray Angerman
There are many of us who were taught by Dr. Lofgren and we are still singing 43 years later. What a testimony to him; we are a living legacy to the leader of the band. Thank you Randy Lofgren for the gift you gave us. You will be sorely missed. - Ray Angerman
To quote Dan Fogelberg,
I thank you for the music And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom When it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think I said, "I love you" near enough
The leader of the band is tired And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument And his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy To the leader of the band
Randy Willis
From Tom Fillman: I am so saddened by the news of Mr. Lofgrens passing. He was a huge musical influence on me as a teenager and his teaching has helped me immensely through my professional career. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the memorial service, but am sending my deepest sympathy to his wife and family. God Bless and thank you Mr. Lofgren.
Edna Carolyn Morgan (Whitney)
I am saddened by the passing of Mr. Lofgren. He was a musical blessing. My love and prayers go to his family and to the "Golden Voices".Patsy Graham (Dillard)
My prayers are with the Lofgren family . I am saddened at the loss of Mr Lofgren. He was a true mentor and friend to me and the entire Waco High School Golden Voices. I willl always remember his sweet spirit and warm and comforting smile . He will forever be in my heart. Warm memories of my High School days in the Golden Voices will forever be with me. Rest in Peace Mr. Lofgren.
Debbie Beckworth (Wells)
I was so sad to hear of Dr. Lofgren passing away, but know he has received his ultimate healing, never to have pain again. I never had him as a teacher but he still made such an impression on me as a student at WHS. I'm praying for his family and friends, and students who were close to him and who will be singing at his celebration service tonight. May you all feel God's presence and peace and comfort that only God can give.
Debbie Warren (Sherman)
The memorial service for Dr. Lofgren was an incredible, worshipful experience. The "memorial" choir were people from everywhere Dr. Lofgren served but the majority were former Golden Voices. Many of those were from our class of 71. We sang "My Eternal King" and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." I was so surprised when I realized Ken Medema was on the piano. (For those who don't know Ken Medema, one of his famous praise songs is "Come Let Us Reason Together". Google him & you'll find out he is pretty famous. His ties to the Lofgren's were through Word Records.). He actually wrote a song for the special occasion "He Taught Us To Fly." Dr. Randall O'Brien, the current president of Carson Newman University where Dr. Lofgren served for many years, brought reflections of Dr. Lofgren's life. Kevin & Wendy, the Lofgren's kids also had a special time talking about their dad.
Mr Lofgren would have been proud of the choir I think we did an outstanding job to have only practiced the songs 2 times before the service. It was a bitter-sweet experience to see many former Golden Voices singing for Mr. Lofgren's memorial service but I'm so glad I was able to participate. It was such a blessing for me.
Jackie Byrd (Watson)
Mr Lofgren's memorial service was indeed a true celebration of his life. The music was so inspiring and the memorial choir did a beautiful job. They sounded amazing!
His sister, Karla Lofgren Davis described Mr Lofgren perfectly. She wrote it best stating, " I would describe "who Randy was" as a boy growing up-his temperament, his personality. He was always cheerful, always optimistic, always friendly to everyone he met. He was compassionate and he was passionate. He was a dreamer, a visionary, and adventurer. His sense of the possible knew no bounds." This was indeed the teacher and our mentor we knew at WHS.
What a legacy his life was. He inspired so, so many people through the years, his deep love for his wife and family, and a man that truly loved his work. And I learned he loved to listen to the Beatles music, with his old friends, who knew!
And lastly, our WHS Class of 71, will always cherish a wonderful memory...having Mr and Mrs Lofgren attend our 40th class reunion and leading his Golden Voices one last time. What a honor for us to hold onto.
Rest in peace Mr Lofgren!