Edward Fitz Randolph

Edward Fitz Randolph, age 93, died in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on June 24th. He was born in Berea, West Virginia, on October 15th, 1928, to Blondy and Joyce Randolph. He graduated West Virginia University with a degree in agricultural engineering. He worked for Massey Ferguson, Caterpillar, Fiat Allis, Allen Engineering, and White New Idea.

He was married to Doris Randolph, his wife of 54 years who preceded him in death in 2007. He is survived by daughter Sally Randolph and her husband John Wells, son Scott Randolph, grandchildren Jackson and Carson Wells, and Dylan Randolph; brother Charles Randolph and sister Jean Dempsey. He was preceded in death by sister Hilda Boggs and brother Odell Randolph. Visitation/reception will take place at Gross Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 29th, 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Private interment will take place at the Arkansas State Veteran’s Cemetery in North Little Rock. Memorials may be forwarded to any favored charity.

You were a good man, but not a great man, although you had moments of greatness receiving a Carnegie award for saving two young people from a burning car. Bystanders were pulling you back, but you persevered in your efforts.

You taught me about integrity, standing up for myself, moderation, and saving for the future. We certainly differed on many things, particularly politics and the roles of women.

You cherished your three grandchildren and loved to spend time with them. In Dylan, you finally got one that had a mechanical bent. You loved telling your Elk friends stories about them but never verbally shared your love and admiration with them, in true Randolph fashion. You certainly enjoyed being an Elk member in Hot Springs. You relished your role as head of the loan closet maintaining an inventory and making deliveries to fellow Elk members who needed medical equipment.

You found your love of golf when you met Mom. You were always extremely competitive and loved playing well into your 80’s. You always loved a good wager and laughed with glee after winning quarters. You taught the game of golf to your grandchildren, always ready to take them to play.

It was a sad day when you decided to sell your John Deere riding lawnmower. You had mowed your yard and the yards of many neighbors well into your 90’s, whether they wanted you to or not. You were just being a good neighbor.

You loved the Boy Scouts, relishing your role as a Scout Leader, mentoring young men in Glenarm, Illinois. You stayed active in this organization into your 70’s, even attending a Boy Scout camp with your grandson.

You could fix anything, always having left over parts. Mom often could be heard saying, “Never marry an engineer. You’ll never get anything new!”. And then who can forget your beloved Buick Lucerne you insisted on driving until you were 92…. shudder, shudder. A collective sigh of relief was let out when you finally decided to sell it. And kudos to family for allowing you the respect and dignity to make decisions that would have been easier if family had done things their way!

You were a good husband, father, brother, friend, and PawPaw. As you said, “I have lived a good life,” and the world is a better place for your having been in it. The family is forever grateful to Garrett Woods, Hospice Home Care, and Home Instead for remarkable care and kindness.

Your loving daughter, Sally.

A reception to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 6:00 until 9:00 PM at Gross Funeral Home.

The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.GrossFuneralHome.com.