FISHERSVILLE, Va. — Memorial services for John W. Randall, 91, of Afton, Va., formerly of Vidalia, who died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, just one day short of his 92nd birthday, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Shenandoah Nursing Home, 339 Westminster Drive, Fishersville, Va. with the Rev. Jim Hardwick officiating.
Mr. Randall was born Dec. 15, 1916, in Harrisonburg, the son of John Calvin Randall and Frances Price Randall, both of Sicily Island. He was a veteran of World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps, 1st Airborne Commando Squadron, stationed in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater where he received the Bronze Star Medal for service “above and beyond the call of duty” on April 24, 1944. He was also a Master Mason in the State of Louisiana for over 50 years.
Mr. Randall was employed by Missouri Pacific Railroad Company from the time before and after he returned from World War II until 1958 when he started to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Natchez. Mr. Randall retired from the post office in 1980 and enjoyed retirement with his wife on trips to California, Montana, Maine, North Dakota, Washington D.C. and Branson, Mo. During his retirement years, he was appointed and served the Vidalia Baptist Church as a deacon. He loved to hunt and fish and spent many years with friends and family back in Louisiana doing just what he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ray Randall and W.H. Randall; and one sister, Mary Sue Moore.
Survivors include his wife of over 65 years, Vivienne Randall, also a resident of Shenandoah Nursing Home; three sons, Jon Madzelan of Citrus Heights, Calif., James W. Randall of Corea, Maine, and Dave Randall of Afton; one daughter, Betty Marie Palmer of Citrus Heights; one brother, Joe Randall of Atlanta, the last remaining member of his immediate family; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.