Joe M. Randerson

Joe graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Austin in 1941 where he lettered in baseball his three years there! He enrolled in the University of Texas in 1942 but put his college education on hold in 1943 when he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps.

He attended pilot training and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and earned his pilot’s wings. He was assigned to the 2nd Fighter Squadron, 52nd fighter Group (known as the Flying Beagle Sqdn.) flying P-51 fighter aircraft on combat missions. On Sunday, September 3rd 1944 he was on a strafing mission to Nis in the Serbian part of Yugoslavia. He was shot down by small arms fire over the little town of Tresnjevia. After successfully strafing a train, he pulled up but his engine quit and he was forced to land in a river bed. Before he could get out of the aircraft, he lost consciousness and was severely burned. When he came to he saw two old Serbian farmers who asked if he were “Americana?” He was burned from his helmet to his chest including both arms and from his thighs to his feet. The men put him in a two-wheeled cart pulled by oxen and he was covered by corn stalks and taken to an old barn where he lay for two weeks in a loft. While he was in the barn, a lady named Nada Mihailovich nursed him daily until he was well enough to move. He stayed with her until November 7, 1944, when General Mihailovich, Nada’s husband, arranged to smuggle him back to Italy. After his recuperation, he returned to his base where he flew and completed forty-nine combat missions before the war in Europe ended. He was awarded the Purple Heart as well as numerous combat medals by the U. S. Army Air Corps. He arrived home on June 19th 1945.

General Mihailovich did not survive the war. In gratitude for saving his life, Joe sponsored Nada and her children Vera and Dan to come to America and become citizens. Joe’s parents helped support the Mihailovich family as they adjusted to their new lives. The children went on to complete their college education at the University of Texas and became successful in business in the Houston-Galveston area.

In 1946, he again enrolled in the University of Texas and returned to the baseball team where he was a three-year letterman and received his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. After graduation, he went to work for Dupont in Rockdale, Texas. While working for Dupont, Joe played semi-pro baseball in Rockdale and in Victoria. He was offered a chance to play professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals but decided to stay in his engineering profession. He left DuPont and worked for the Eichleay Corporation in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania until he retired. In retirement, he wanted to be back in Texas and decided Llano was the perfect place. He enjoyed all of his friends especially his church family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Luther Berry Randerson, his mother, Dimple Winn Randerson, his brother Luther Winn Randerson, sister Greola Randerson, his first wife, Nell Randerson, his second wife, Toni Randerson and a step-daughter Sharon Molchan. He is survived by his three children Mary Margaret of Oklahoma City, Joe Berry of Longview and David Winn of Midland.

He is also survived by his three step-children, Valerie Molinaro, Karen Brown and Alison Nowe and his four step-grandsons, all of Washington, Pennsylvania His three sisters Elizabeth R. Morris of Austin, Margaret P. Randerson and Mary Grace Randerson of The Woodlands also survive him along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 17th 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 107 West Luce Street, Llano, Texas 78643.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to First Baptist Church, 107 West Luce Street, Llano, Texas 78643.