Charles Stephen Randall

Visitation will be held 5-7p.m. Saturday at Palms-Robarts Funeral Home. Services will be held 2:00p.m. Sunday at Sarasota Alliance Church. Interment will be held 10a.m. Monday in Sarasota National Cemetery.

Steve was born the oldest of 4 children, Leigh Ann, Jim, and Pete, to Chuck and Arlene Randall in Peoria Illinois. The family moved closer to Chicago and Steve was raised primarily in Lockport. After attending Olivet Nazarene, he enlisted in the Army serving in Colorado Springs and Germany. He was privileged to be raised in a home that honored Jesus and put Him first in their daily lives.

In High School, Steve told his Dad that he wanted to pursue a career working in computers. Chuck was a wise man, but he didn’t think this field had a future. This is just one example of how Steve had vision and ideas that he knew could work. Steve spent his entire career working in the computer field. It varied from the resort industry to city government and most recently at a digital imaging company. Steve had a work ethic unlike most. His most recent experience at API (Advanced Imaging and Processing) was truly his favorite. He would have worked there 24 hours a day if his body didn’t need sleep.

Steve met his bride Kris at Naperville Bible Church in Naperville, Illinois. They always jokingly said their marriage was “arranged” because Kris happened to meet and befriend Steve’s parents before she met Steve. Chuck and Arlene thought Kris was perfect for their eldest. How wise they were. They married in 1979 and they continued a rich heritage of living for God. They moved to Collinsville IL, then to Phoenix AZ, and then settled in Sarasota in 1985. Steve and Kris were blessed to have 3 sons, Mike, Jon, and Mark. Mike is married to Katie and they have a daughter named Gracie. Jon is married to Lacey and they have a daughter on the way.

One of Steve’s greatest loves was investing in youth. He spent 15 years in Little League, much of it as the president of the league as well as coaching. The program grew through his leadership skills and his strong sense of integrity. His players knew where he stood as he led by example, giving opportunity to each individual. He was more concerned about each boy or young man than about winning. Steve also demonstrated his passion for youth by being a youth group leader at Sarasota Alliance Church. He faithfully showed the next generation how to live as a Godly man. John Wooden (a favorite coach of Steve’s) said, “I never encouraged anyone to pray for a win. I don’t think our prayers should be directed to the score of a game. That seems way too selfish. I wanted my boys to honor God by doing their best, controlling their emotions, and asking for protection. Those are the good requests for basketball players and for our lives in general.” This sums up how Steve taught the young people in his life.

Steve loved sports, but nothing compared to baseball, specifically the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. He was a true die-hard fan. The most recent game we went to was a couple of years ago and we were the last fans to leave the park. We stayed so long we were politely asked to leave the Friendly Confines, so we lingered outside.

During the final weeks of Steve’s life, he expressed the idea that he couldn’t believe that God was finished with him on earth. God’s ways are beyond ours and unsearchable. We do not question Him. We know that just because we don’t see Steve Randall does not mean that his life has stopped influencing those of us still here. His life will most certainly live on in those of us privileged to have known him.