Retired Educator/Administrator, 30 years
Retired Brigadier General, Utah National Guard, 32 years
Randy J. Ence was born in St. George, Utah on 25 May 1940 to Vendon P. and Gertrude Worthen Ence. He was the oldest of seven children. He grew up in Santa Clara, Utah and graduated from Dixie High School in 1958. He met his sweet wife Errolynn Orton in Cedar City and was married on 11 July 1964. Errolynn passed away on 28 February 1999 to whom he was completely devoted to throughout her life. They have two daughters, Nichole and Aimee, and one son, Cloyd Craig. He has five grandchildren. He is presently married to Verona Frehner, who grew up in Mesquite. He was very blessed in meeting her following the death of his wife, Errolynn. Verona has two married sons with five grandchildren. They moved to Mesquite in 2004 to be closer to grandchildren and the warm weather.
Randy J. Ence received a Bachelor of Art degree in elementary education from Southern Utah State College. He began his teaching career in St. George in 1964 as an elementary teacher. He later moved to Cedar City where he continued his career as an elementary teacher. He received a Master of Education degree from Brigham Young University in education administration in 1978. In 1982 he was appointed as principal of Cedar Middle School and in 1990 appointed as principal of South Elementary. During this appointment the South Elementary was recognized as one of the Utah Centennial Schools.
Randy J. Ence began his military career in 1960 when he enlisted in the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Upon completion of basic training, he served in the 19th Special Forces Group until February 1963 when he was accepted for officer’s candidate school at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served in the Special Forces until November 1964 as a Second Lieutenant and then transferred to the Field Artillery and was assigned as the Detachment Commander of Battery C, in Cedar City. He served in virtually every position in the Field Artillery. He was promoted to Captain and commanded a Headquarters and Headquarters battery as well as a Firing Battery in the 2nd Battalion 222 Field Artillery. He held numerous staff positions, including the Battalion S-3 upon being promoted to Major. In April 1977, he was transferred to I Corps Artillery and held a number of staff positions. He was then promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1982 and was transferred back to the 2nd Battalion as the commander. He held that position until 6 July 1986 when he was promoted to Colonel and assumed the duties as the Deputy Commander of I Corps Artillery. Colonel Enc assumed command of I corps Artillery on 8 January 1989 and was later promoted to Brigadier General in March 1990. He commanded I corps Artillery until May 1992 when he retired from the military with nearly 32 years of service. During his command of the 2nd Battalion 222nd Field Artillery, the Battalion was awarded the highest recognition that our country provides a reserve component unit, The Most Outstanding Battalion Size Unit in the National Guard.
Committees Councilman Ence is a member of:
- County/Regional Debt Management Commission
- Clark County District Bond Oversight Committee
- Mesquite Veterans Commission
