Eagle Lake City Council appoints new councilmember

EAGLE LAKE — Eagle Lake City Council appointed Randy Turner to its city council during its meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Randy Turner replaced the late Jim Wood who died on July 13 at the age of 76. Wood, a Vietnam Army veteran, ran for city council in 2023 and was reelected in May 2025 after his retirement as the 45-year business owner of S&W Parts Co. The council unanimously appointed Turner to replace Wood and welcomed him with handshakes. Mayor Tim Kelley shared that the council picked Turner because he ran to reseat one of three councilmembers in the May 2025 election. Turner came in fourth, and all of the other council members got re-elected.

“It was kind of a no-brainer. It was kind of obvious. He was the one that put the time and effort into running,” Kelley said. “When we decided to choose someone to fill Jim’s spot, it just made sense to choose Randy.”

Turner moved to Eagle Lake in the past two years and currently works with crews to fix up old houses and resell them, a process called flipping.

Turner previously lived in Spring for 40 years and worked in management for Firestone Complete Auto Care. Before that, he graduated from Cy-Fair High School in 1979.

“I am just kind of learning right now and seeing what all needs to be done to work with,” Turner said.

Turner said that a lot of people he knows are very happy with his involvement. He said that the people of Eagle Lake will get to know him “I know more people here in the last two years than I knew in 40 years while living in Spring,” Turner said. “Being in a small town really is nice. People get to know each other and talk with you about what’s going on and make you feel at home.”

Councilmember Chris Parker also recently died on Aug. 4 at the age of 61, leaving his seat on the council vacant. Parker and his wife Shelley ran Mosquito/Pest Authority of Eagle Lake for over four years. He originally ran for city council in 2023, alongside Wood, and was reelected in May 2025. Kelley said the council appointed Turner to reach a supermajority of four members to proceed with passing the city’s budget.

“We are going to wait until the May election and let the citizens elect to replace [Parker’s place] and then also Jim’s. Randy is filling Jim’s unexpired [place] for the remainder of the year and then that place will be on the ballot next year,” Kelley said. “There’s going to be four councilmembers and the mayor up for reelection next May.”