William Dale Randolph passed from this life onto his heavenly reward on March 24, 2019. Dale was born in Summersville, Missouri, the first son of Odus V. and Delsie Koller Randolph. He grew up around his dad's saw mills and Grandpa Ciscero's blacksmith shop. He started kindergarten at age 4 and graduated from West Plains High School in 1953. Dale started his very first job popping popcorn at the drive-in movie theater at around age 15. He loved it! After graduation, he attended Gradwohl School of Laboratory Technique in St. Louis and became a medical lab and X-ray technician. This led him to jobs in Oklahoma where he met and married his cute, pony-tailed wife, Eva A. McBride.
Dale served in the Army Active Reserve for six years. He began taking classes at Oklahoma A & M (now OSU), but graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in Engineering Math in 1965. Dale and Eva welcomed their first child, Lori Ann in 1966 and then their second daughter, Jill Diane in 1968.
In the 1960's he worked for North American Aviation as a research engineer on the Apollo project, first in Tulsa, then in Cape Canaveral, FL. Subsequent positions included Lead Programmer for Seismograph Service Company and Manager of Computer Services at Rockwell International. He later switched to banking at First Tulsa as Senior Vice President and Manager of the Information Systems Division, then moved his family to Oklahoma City and worked 8 years for Kerr-McGee Corp in data security and finally as the Manager of Technical Support.
During their time in Oklahoma City in 1995, Dale and Eva's younger daughter, Jill Diane was killed in the Oklahoma City Bombing. Their lives were forever changed and in 1996, Dale retired and he and Eva moved to Mannford, Oklahoma where they continue to make their home.
In his retirement, Dale kept himself quite busy with projects including wood-working, computers, and building swing sets and tree swings for his four grand kids. He became a school bus driver for the Mannford Public Schools for a time and even tried his hand as a high school substitute higher math teacher At age 65, he took advantage of the free audit program at TCC and took Calculus 1, 2 and 3 as a "refresher", taking all the tests and doing all homework.
Dale's faith in Jesus held him and his family steady through difficult times. He enjoyed his church family, first East Tulsa Church of God, then Shartel Church of God in Oklahoma City. Then upon moving back to Tulsa area, he attended Sapulpa First Church of God, Solid Rock Church and finally Red Fork Church of God, where his son-in-law Dale was a pastor on staff. His faithfulness, commitment and leadership on church boards, committees and as head usher for the cause of the Kingdom will be sorely missed. As a deep and committed follower of Christ, he read his Bible through several times and even desired to be baptized four years ago by his pastor son-in-law, Dale Neace at Red Fork. This was the compass by which he led his family and lived his life.
His intelligence, wisdom, generosity, knowledge and advice about so many topics including cars, firearms, cameras, computers, math and engineering, finances but also his wit and enjoyment of a good conversation are already being greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He was a patient teacher, though detailed, and many learned a great deal from him about quality, workmanship and excellence. No one can replace a man like this in our lives.
Dale is survived by his beloved wife of 59 1/2 years, Eva Ann. Also, his daughter Lori and husband Dale Neace, four grandchildren: Rhana Diane and husband, Derek Garrison; Blake Alan Neace, Brett Dale Neace and Colby William Neace. And one little great grandson, Graysen William Garrison. One brother, Verle Gordon and his wife Beth Randolph along with many brother and sister in-laws, nephews and nieces. And of course, all the countless friends from a life well lived.
Viewing will be March 27, Wednesday, at Moore Southlawn 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Dale's services will be held March 28, Thursday, at the Red Fork Church of God at 1:00 pm, 3319 W. 41st, Tulsa, OK
Interment will be at Floral Haven 6500 S. 129th E. Ave., Tulsa, OK.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to Grace Hospice, Tulsa OK.
Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233