Randy Michael Colton, 61, of Phoenix, Ariz., passed away at home in his sleep of a heart attack on Sept. 3, 2015. Randy was born July 8, 1954, in Corona, Calif. He was the third oldest of eight children born to Richard and Margaret Colton.

He attended elementary school in La Puente, Calif.; junior high at Arcturus Junior High, Ft. Richardson, Alaska; and Lakeland High School in Rathdrum, graduating in 1972.

Randy began his riding career as a jockey while in high school at the Turf Club in Coeur d'Alene and Montana fair meets. After high school he rode at numerous race tracks around the Northwest, including Playfair in Spokane, Wash. In 1979 Randy set a new win record at Playfair, and in the late 1980s he moved to Philadelphia, Pa., and raced at Penn National.

After retirement from horse racing in 1993, Randy owned a horse supplement business and most recently was involved with an international water trading company. He was a volunteer for the March of Dimes and hospitals for terminally ill children. He also coached soccer for boys and girls and Babe Ruth baseball.

Randy was married to Tina Marie Sattler in Spokane in August 1973. They raised their two children in Spokane and Philadelphia.

Randy is survived by his mother; two children: Ginni Marie (Jared) Delong of Trinidad, Calif., and Levi Michael (Laurie) Colton of Phoenix; and grandson Blue River Delong; seven siblings: Rick (Pam), Penny (Lawrence) Bradbury, Patsy (Paul) Morton, Robert, Pamela (Larry) Heuett, Peggy (Jerrald) Barsten and Priscilla (Craig) Routson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He loved God, his family, and all the people he came in contact with throughout his lifetime.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at St. George's Catholic Church, 2010 N. Lucas St. in Post Falls, with a reception to follow. The family will also be gathering in Phoenix in October to celebrate Randy's life.