Richard Randolph

Richard Lewis Randolph

1932 – 2023

Richard Lewis Randolph, Sr. was born in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was raised on a dairy farm, but left to join the United States Navy. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He enlisted in February 1951, and retired in October, 1970. During his enlistment and later in life, he visited a variety of countries, totaling twenty-one. He also visited all fifty states at some point in his life.

After his enlistment, he served his country again, working with the Internal Revenue Service until his second retirement in 1992. He has been retired for thirty-one years, and has done extensive traveling and enjoying life since then. During their adulthood, his children remember that he was always willing to share his wisdom and strength, his faith and Christian teachings. He read his Bible daily, and had favorite verses and hymns.

During Covid, he began completing jigsaw puzzles and hung them around the room of his apartment. He painted decorative cutouts to decorate his home, and left them in the hallway for all of his neighbors to enjoy. These will be donated to his friends and neighbors at The Veraden so they will remember him through his creations.

He was the loving husband to two wonderful women, Edna Ruth Anderson Randolph, who was waiting to welcome him to his celestial home, and Connie Dee Henderson Jones Randolph, of Edmond, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an older brother, his first wife, his oldest daughter, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was the father to six children, Richard, Frances, who preceded him in death, Robin, Ruth Anne, Glenn and Deborah. These children gave him the joy of nineteen grandchildren, six who are deceased and fourteen great-grandchildren, one who is deceased. He also had three step children, Ted, Tyler and Carrie, with four step-grandchildren.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, White Shrine and the Shriners. He participated in these organizations for many decades and enjoyed the time spent with these friends. He traveled to Shreveport, Louisiana and other cities for many years, transporting children to the Shriners Hospitals for treatment and medical care. He was passionate about his care for these children.

His children have included their favorite memory of their father;

Richard, Jr. says, “When working with Dad, I remember, when nuts, bolts, etc., didn’t go properly into place the first three or four times he would say, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, get a bigger hammer.’ I find myself doing the same, now.” 

Chuck, husband to Frances, says, “I was honored that he treated me like one of his sons and that he helped me get into Masonry. He loved all of the adopted kids that Frances and I had.”

Robin reminisced about the times when Dad fell asleep watching sports on Sunday. Four giggling kids lined up along the back of the couch. Working together, we pushed him to the floor, never realizing that he knew we were there. We all rolled around and giggled for a couple of minutes. “There were profound moments and memories, deep in joy or sadness, but at a time like this, the little memories seem the most special.”

Ruth Anne shared, “Dad was an inspiration to me. He always knew what to say and when to say it. He didn’t hesitate when it came to imparting his wisdom. As a teen, I found it very annoying, but as an adult, I realize he was generally right.”

Glenn says, “we worked together, we played together, he taught me and I learned. He held my son.

Deborah summed it up with “He always loved us and was there if we ever needed him.”

Don’t wait up, Daddy. But leave the light on for us. We will always love you.

Public viewing be from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S. Kelly Ave, Edmond, OK 73003. Services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on March 30, 2023 at First Christian Church, 201 E 2nd St, Edmond, OK 73034. Internment will follow at Gracelawn Cemetery.