Randall Lehmberg

Randall Ernest Lehmberg went to heaven on January 21, 2024 at the age of 80.

Randy, as he was known to everyone, was born in Brady, Texas on January 12, 1944 to Fritz and Billy Lehmberg.

Randy attended Mason Schools from Kindergarten through high school and graduated from Mason High School. He attended Texas Tech University, where he was on the Livestock Judging Team. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education in 1967 and a Masters in Agriculture in 1971. In the Fall of 1966 in Llano, Texas, he started his teaching career with student teaching. His first teaching job was in Plains in the Fall of 1967 to 1969. He became the assistant county agent in Wichita County for 1 year, and he returned to the classroom in Midland in 1970.

On December 16,1967, Randy married Brenda Curbo of Lubbock. They moved back to Mason with their family in 1973. Randy worked for his father, raising hogs, ranching, and farming peanuts with his brothers. In 1984, Randy returned to teaching Agriculture Science at Junction High School. He stayed with Junction ISD for 20 years. During this time, in the summer, Mr. Lehmberg had adult welding classes and worked with students on animal projects, judging teams, and speaking events. Over the years, his FFA chapter sold football programs at every Eagles’ home game.

He felt that an education was important and all students were to leave his class with life skills needed for a better future. In 2023, a group of former students nominated Randy for the Agriculture Teacher’s Hall of Fame, and he was inducted in the summer of 2023. A highlight of his older years were the former students who would stop by to let him know they had good jobs because of what they learned in his class. After retiring from teaching, Randy worked at ranching, raising show steers, and spending time with his grandkids.

There was nothing he loved more than being on horseback and working livestock, unless it was a stock show. These were Randy’s favorite activities. He continued a family tradition, showing animals in grade school and continuing through high school. During this time, Randy won many awards and Breed Champions at major shows. He appeared twice on the cover of the Ft. Worth Stock Show Magazine. Later, Randy went to AI school and started raising show steers for his own children and selling to others through private sales. He took pride in the fact that his grandkids could show steers raised by the family.

Papa, as he was known to his grandchildren, always had a car seat in the pickup for the kids when they were little and later grandkids. It was just accepted that they were going with Papa to feed cows or go hunting. He attended as many shows, football games, twirling contests, and school events as he could to support and be a part of his children and grandkids’ lives. He gave each of them a cow to get their savings started because cattle was his way of life.

Randy is preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Billy Lehmberg of Mason, brother Brent Lehmberg of Mason, in-laws Leon and Lucille Curbo of Lubbock, and brother-in-law John Lee Nelson of Munday. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Brenda Curbo Lehmberg of Mason, his brother, Larry Lehmberg and wife Ann of Mason, Sister-in-law Pam Nelson of Munday, son, Jim Lehmberg of Llano, daughter, Belinda Finn and husband Sean of Mason, son, Joe Lehmberg and wife Lori of Seguin, grandchildren, Mathew and Tiani Finn of Mason, John Finn of Mason, Kinley and Addie Lehmberg of Seguin, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests that those wishing to express sympathy consider making a donation in Randy’s name to the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas Scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to Ag teachers’ children. Donations can be made out to ATAT Scholarship Fund, with memo of Randy Lehmberg, and sent to ATAT at 614 East 12th St, Austin, TX 78701.