James Louis Randall

James Louis “Jim” Randall, age 73, of Austin, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Palmer “Randy” Randall and Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (Jacobi) Randall. Jim, the second son of Randy and Betty Randall, grew up in Austin, Texas, with his two brothers, Jack P. Randall and Jeff A. Randall.

Jim attended Gullett Elementary School, Lamar Junior High, and McCallum High School in Austin, Texas. While attending McCallum High School, Jim was honored as a member of the McCallum (Who’s Who) and was captain of both his high school football and track teams. Jim graduated from McCallum High School in 1969. A knee operation in high school made a college athletic scholarship doubtful, but after playing freshman football at the University of Texas at Austin (U. T.) with a broken hand, Jim chose to take his chances as a walk-on for varsity football the next fall. As a walk-on, Jim lettered in freshman football and received a full athletic scholarship as a member of the U.T. Longhorns football varsity team. Jim played left defensive tackle, #69, from 1969 (red shirt freshman) through 1972 while studying Transportation Management at the University of Texas at Austin School of Business Administration. In addition to receiving his freshman and two varsity letters in football, he was a member of the 1970 National Champions Football Team, a member of The Texas Cowboys honorary men’s service organization, and the “T” Association, an organization of varsity lettermen. Jim proudly wore his National Football Championship ring and the “T” ring personally given by Darrell Royal to his players who graduated from college.

Upon graduation in 1974, Jim was employed in the operations department of the Missouri-Pacific Railroad where he was trained in truck and railroad terminal operations. He then took a position with the Austin Transit System as Superintendent of Transportation where he was responsible for the daily operations of the regular transit routes, special transit services, charter operations and park-and-ride service.

It was at the University of Texas where Jim first met Del Bradford White II. Jim and Del were married by Rev. Lynn H. McAden at the ranch home of Edwin Hardy White and Del Bradford White on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1977. After honeymooning in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, they resided in Austin, Texas. In 1981, Jim and Del were blessed with a son, Joshua Wheat Randall, and in 1984, they were blessed with a daughter, Jena Elizabeth Randall.

Jim Randall began his career in the Transportation Planning Division, at the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation (TxDOT) in December 1977, where he helped develop the department’s first strategic plan, the Master Plan for Public Transportation in Texas, and the Texas Transit Statistical Report.

Jim earned his second bachelor’s degree as a civil engineer from the University of Texas at Austin College of Engineering in 1986 and attained his certification as a professional engineer, P.E., in 1991.

During Jim’s career at TxDOT, he served as the director of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Office. This office administers the state’s nonfederal sponsorship duties associated with the waterway. He also served as the department’s liaison to waterway industry representatives and port authorities. “His knowledge in all areas of transportation planning including highway, rail and work with the Army Corps of Engineers for planning needs in the Gulf intracoastal waterway were invaluable to the Administration and Transportation Commission in approving projects in all areas of transportation.” (KH) In 1994, Jim served as the director of the Multimodal Operations Office. He managed project planning, policy development, and operations pertaining to water transportation, freight and passenger rail, bicycles, and pedestrians.

In 1999, Jim served as the deputy director of Transportation Planning and Programming (TPP) and in 2001, Jim was named division director of TPP.

TxDOT recognition and awards:

• 2005 Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association’s 100 Most Influential People

• 2000 Director’s Choice Award presented by TxDOT’s Public Information Office

• 1997 Luther DeBerry Award presented by Texas A&M University for “Outstanding contributions to transportation in the State of Texas”

• 1997 M.D. “Mac” Shelby Award presented by the Center for Transportation Research University of Texas at Austin

• 1996 President’s Modal Award-Water Transportation presented by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

James L. Randall, P.E., Division Director of the TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division retired after 33 years with TxDOT on July 31, 2012. In Jim’s retirement, Jim and Del continued to raise Longhorn cattle on their ranch east of Austin.

Jim is survived by his wife, Del; his son, Joshua W. (Rachel) Randall, P.E.; his daughter, Jena Elizabeth Randall; his brothers, Jack P. (Beverly) Randall, Jeff A. (Cynthia) Randall; granddaughter Madelynn Randall, and a much-anticipated unborn grandchild Caroline.

Pallbearers are Josh W. Randall, P.E., Jess P. Randall, Wayne A. Dennis, Aron Anderson, Mark A. Merlino, and David Glass. Honorary Pallbearers are Jack P. Randall, Jeff A. Randall, Jack Foster, Happy Feller, Stan Burrier, and all his cousins and many friends.

A visitation for James will be held Friday, December 13, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A funeral service will occur Friday, December 13, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A graveside service will occur Friday, December 13, 2024, from 12:15 PM to 12:30 PM at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78731.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to The University of Texas at Austin. These funds will be used to establish a scholarship in the College of Engineering. The remembrances should be sent to: The University of Texas at Austin, c/o The James Louis Randall Endowed Scholarship, Cockrell School of Engineering, 301 East Dean Keeton Street, Austin, TX 78712 or link to donate below. Obituary and guestbook online at Cook-Walden.

Link to view the service: https://vimeo.com/event/4768628

Link to donate: https://give.utexas.edu/?menu=OGPENDS&amount=1000&response=DJ4JLR&solicit=JLR&recog=memorial&recogname=James%20Louis%20Randall&comments=James%20Louis%20Randall%20Endowed%20Scholarship