Charles Randall Dye

Charles Randall (Randy) Dye, 73, of Forest, Va., was unexpectedly called home to be with the Lord on July 3, 2024, with his wife and son at his side. 

 Randy was born in Wood County, WV, on May 16,1951, to the late Frances Eileen Dye and Charles F. Dye, Jr. He is a member of the Heritage United Methodist Church, Lynchburg, VA. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Christina Kelley-Dye, son, Zackery Dye of Forest, VA, stepson, Jason Kelley and wife, Lisa Kelley and their son Zach Kelley and their daughter, Kara LaMarca; three sisters and their spouses: Nancy and Jerry Eaton of Ripley, WV, Judy and Scott Van Der Linden of Lancaster, SC, Brenda and Jay Rittenhouse of Williamstown, WV, and a brother and his spouse: David and Kim Dye of Pataskala, OH; and many nieces and nephews. 

Randy graduated from West Virginia University (WVU), Morgantown, WV, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry-Forest Management. He was a member of XI Sigma Pi (Honorary Fraternity) and on the Dean’s List. 

After graduating from WVU, Randy started his first job in 1974 as a Forester for Federal Paper Board Company, Inc, and as an Instructor for Robeson Technical Institute, Lumberton, NC, kickstarting a 40-year career in the forest industry. 

Randy went on to work with Georgia-Pacific Corporation in 1989 as a Forest Manager in Brunswick, GA, after which Georgia-Pacific promoted him to an Operations Manager in 1991 for Whiteville, NC, then Area Procurement Manager in 1994 for Brookneal, VA, until 1999 when he went to work as the Director of the WV Division of Forestry in Charleston, WV, until his retirement in 2017. 

During his work as Director of the WV Division of Forestry Randy received the National Association of State Foresters’ President Award and NRCS Two Chiefs’ Partnership Award.

 As Director of the WV Division of Forestry, Randy’s research paper contribution was Contributing Investigator “Hydrologic Evaluation of the Curve Number Method for Forest Management in WV”. He also gave U.S. Congressional Testimony in 2012 to the House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry and Oversight Hearing on Farm Bill Energy and Forestry Programs, and in 2013 to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Oversight Hearing on Invasive Species Management on Federal Lands, as well as the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation. 

Randy’s professional associations during his career include Past President National Association of State Foresters (NASF), Past President Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters, NASF Foundation Chairman, NASF Legislative Committee, NASF Executive Committee, NASF Liaison to National Association of Conservation Districts, Ex Officio W.Va. Forestry Association Board of Trustees, W.Va. Chapter Society of American Foresters, Finance Chairman W.Va. Conservation Committee, Past President W.Va. Agricultural and Forestry Hall of Fame, American Forest & Paper Association, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, State Implementation Committee, Chair W.Va. Forest Stewardship Committee, W.Va. Registered Forester #440, WVU School of Natural Resources Advisory Committee, WVU Davis College Visiting Committee, U.S. Forest Service Reforestation, Nurseries and Genetics Resources Board Member, Chair DEP Stream Partners, Virginia Sustainable Forest Initiative Task Force, Former Member, Virginia Forestry Association Board of Directors, Former Member, Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation Board of Directors, American Pulpwood Association Appalachian Technical Division Executive Committee, North Carolina Registered Forester #213, North Carolina Forestry Association, and Past President North Carolina Society of American Foresters, Waccamaw Chapter.

 There will be a visitation at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, on Tues. July 9, 2024 from 5 P.M.- 6 P.M. and a service on Wed. July 10, 2024 at 11 A.M. at Tharp Funeral Home , Lynchburg. Interment will be at Virginia Memorial Park with a reception to follow at Heritage United Methodist Church. 

 Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family