Charles G. Randle

USAF Ret.

1921 - 2013

Colonel Charles G. Randle, USAF Ret., died Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the age of 91.

Charlie was born December 5, 1921, to George Sidney Randle and Iva Noll Randle, in St. Joseph, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Connie, and his sons Larry Guess (m. Sheila, deceased), Steve (m. Suzanne), Denny (m. Susie), Dan (m. Sharon), Robert (m. Ellen), and Rodney (m. Connie); and nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren.

He grew up in Kansas City and in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he graduated high school. He worked in Kansas City as an iron worker until the United States entered World War II. Volunteering for the Army Air Corps, Charlie graduated pilot training at Kelly Field, Texas, in October 1943, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He transitioned into flying Martin B-26 bombers and as an instructor Pilot in B-26s at Barksdale Field in Shreveport, Louisiana. During this time, he met Corinne Tacon and married her on December 9, 1944. He then left for the European Theater of Operations, where he flew bombing missions during the final assault on Nazi Germany. Charlie and his crew were forced to bail out of his stricken aircraft over the front lines in March 1945. After his discharge in 1946, Charlie was a restaurateur, along with his parents, until he was recalled to active duty by the US air Force in 1953 during the Korean Conflict.

Charlie and Connie enjoyed the Air Force life, so he accepted a Regular Commission and made the Air Force his career. Assignments followed in North Africa, Germany and many states of the US. He also served a combat tour in Vietnam, Flying C-123 cargo aircraft His final Air Force assignment was at the Pentagon. He retired in 1973 and subsequently moved to Gulf Breeze.

Charlie enjoyed his retirement years fishing and being active in the Daedalians Association and the Elks Lodge of Pensacola Beach #497, where he was Chairman of their annual blood drives, until the depredations of Alzheimer's disease slowed him down.

Charlie truly was a member of the Greatest Generation - made strong by growing up during the Great Depression - a patriot proud of his long and distinguished military service. He was the personification of "Duty, Honor, Country."

Visitation will be held at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 from 5pm to 7pm. Services for Colonel Randle will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with entombment at Bayview Memorial Park. If you wish to remember Charlie beyond your thoughts and prayers, the family suggests a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org

BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL, 3351 Scenic Highway is entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.