Marlow “Randy” Wilson Randolph, 98, of Kalama, passed away February 23, 2017. He was born August 27, 1918 in Holly, Colorado to Willis and Anna May Randolph.
Randy grew up in Colorado, going to school mostly in Pueblo. His family farmed in Colorado and got their first car in 1928. Randy delivered ice blocks for a job after the Great Depression and rode a horse to school. In 1935, the family got electricity, but he would not have indoor plumbing until moving to Washington. In 1942, Randy joined the war effort by signing up with the Army. He admitted part of this decision was because he wanted independence from his parents, but he also knew it was the right thing to do. He spent 4 years fighting for his country. After returning home, he decided to move out to Ridgefield, Washington in 1948. Randy said the war changed his priorities in life. Having a wife and family became very important to him. In Ridgefield, he cared for his aging parents. He held several different jobs over the years, finally retiring from GSA as a mechanic in 1983.
Randy enjoyed doing many things, such as woodworking, tinkering in his shop, playing basketball when he was young, R.V.ing, golfing, bowling and riding his lawn mower. While bowling, he and his future wife, Darlene were in the same league. They were eventually married in 1966 and Randy was excited to be a father to her four children from a previous marriage. A year later, he and Darlene added one more child to their family making them the large family Randy wanted. Randy made for an amazing husband and father. They raised their five children on the family farm in Ridgefield and moved to Kalama in 1998.
Randy was a member of the Vancouver American Legion, the Elks located in Vancouver and Longview, and the Holiday Ramblers, a R.V. group. He and Darlene enjoyed many outings dancing at the Elks with friends.
His children and grandchildren remember him as quiet, but firm. His values of hard work, strong morals, and doing what was right were instilled in all of them. Randy was often a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He valued his family above all else and worked hard to provide for them.
Randy is survived by his loving wife, Darlene; children, Terry (Tracy) Doriot, Larry (Karla) Miller, Jeri Farrell, Tami Hackett and Gene (Lynda) Randolph; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by grandchildren, Randy Shaver and Kelly Miller; his parents; 1 sister and 3 brothers.
A memorial service for Randy will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 4th at the Vancouver Funeral Chapel. Viewing will be held Thursday, March 2 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Interment will take place privately at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements under the direction of Vancouver Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, WA.
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