Stewart Phillip Randall

Stewart Phillip Randall, 81, passed away on July 29, 2024, at his home in Fort Worth, Texas.

He was born on June 4, 1943, to Dorotha M. and David P. Randall in Shelby, Ohio. He was an avid adventurer, talented athlete, loyal Patriot and faithful Christian. In his early years he was a rascally big brother to his younger sisters, and later a loving sibling who would do anything for them. His fondest childhood memories were summer vacations with his family, fishing, attending summer camp, “bike hikes” with his friends, making tackles on the football field, and hanging out with his dad and Uncle Chet.

Stew proudly served four years of active duty in the United States Air Force during the mid-1960s as a Sgt. E4 Radio Operator and Morse Code Interceptor. He had been stationed at Keesler Air Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, when he met his bride-to-be, Carolyn, on Biloxi Beach, married her in 1965, and then lived in Germany for two years with her while he served in the Air Force. They had many fun European excursions together in their early 20s!

After starting out their life together in Columbus, Ohio, and having their two children, they decided to relocate in 1977 to Carolyn’s home state of Louisiana. Stew was welcomed by and had many hunting adventures in the swamps with wonderful, ornery Cajuns he met in the River Parishes, and there were a lot of interesting stories he told about those adventures. He often recalled favorite Louisiana pastimes of camping, boating, SCUBA diving with his daughter, Judy, fishing in Grand Isle, crabbing in Lake Pontchartrain, and deer hunting in Mississippi with his son, Patrick, and great friends; there were also trips to the mountains and many coastal beaches. Most of these experiences were enjoyed with his family and at various beautiful spots in North America and the Caribbean. To him, there was nothing like the Gulf of Mexico though.

Stew’s proudest career accomplishments were earning his Masters degree in Educational Administration, passing the Oral & Practical Exam for his Principal’s Certificate, and passing the National Teacher’s Exam. In addition to being one of the greatest teachers and coaches for 23 years, Stew worked in International Risk Management for 15 years and also served as a deputy police officer for four years in LaPlace, Louisiana, before retiring in 2011. He truly had a “servant’s heart” and loved helping and teaching others, especially his children, and later his grandchildren. Some of his other “favorite things” were writing, hanging out with old friends, tinkering in his garage, cleaning his guns, shooting, boiling crawfish and having parties.

In 2013 Stew and Carolyn made their final move to Fort Worth, Texas, to be closer to their kids and grandkids. They built their lovely home, and he loved sitting on the back porch with family and/or friends listening to Sinatra or the Eagles and enjoying a beverage or two. Nothing compared to time spent with his treasured grandchildren though. Whether it was fishing, doing science experiments, having campfires, making up names for wildlife like “Eddie the egret,” or telling stories like, “The Adventures of Bobby and Suzie,” it was always a good time and very entertaining.

Stew is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Carolyn Louise Vila Randall; his children, Judy Spurgeon (Brian) and Patrick Randall (Fanya); grandchildren, Benjamin and Gabriel Spurgeon and David and Dina Randall; sister, Deborah Cornelius (Mark); brother-in-law, Doug Cannon; niece, Amy Cannon; nephews, Alan Cannon (Julia), and Keith Cornelius (Rachel); several great-nieces and nephews, and many wonderful cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Dorotha Randall, and his sister, Terry Cannon.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial Mass for Stew will be on Friday, August 9, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Keller, TX, and a dessert reception will immediately follow in the parish hall next to the church. An honorable inurnment will take place on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at DFW National Cemetery.

All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans.