Randolph Lawrence McLean

Randy was born January 28, 1947, in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late Flynn Brevard and Margaret Brown McLean. The second of five children in a military family, Randy spent parts of his childhood in Okinawa and Germany. Randy attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning his degree in Political Science in 1969. After pursuing a year of graduate studies at the University of Iowa, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1970. Upon completing his studies at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, he spent almost two years on the Isle of Crete as an Arabic language specialist.

When his four-year tour of duty ended, Randy began a 30-year career working for the University of North Carolina Hospital System as a computer analyst. Retiring in 2004, Randy moved to Fort Mill, South Carolina, to be closer to his beloved family. He is survived, remembered and loved by his brothers, Barry (Janice), Kenneth, Byron (Betsy) McLean, and his sister Marilyn McLean, as well as his uncle and aunt, Jim and Nancy Brown. Randy was a wonderful uncle to his two nieces and two nephews, who will always remember how he made them feel special and loved. He is also missed by his two great-nieces, with whom he had a special bond, as well as a host of cousins.

One of the great loves of Randy’s life was trains and model railroading. When he moved to Fort Mill, he found a home near the train tracks to enjoy the sight and sound of the trains going by. He had a special outbuilding, affectionately called The Depot, where he pursued his hobby of model railroading. Randy was passionate about his work on his design and layout, even attending classes in digital electronics so he could perfect his train control systems. He was an avid walker and enjoyed the Anne Springs Close Greenway, where he volunteered for many years with the Exceptional Equestrians therapeutic riding program. Randy took a special interest in the participants, especially his rider Willie. His compassion and generosity for others will always be remembered and cherished by his friends and family.

Family and friends will gather to remember Randy on Sunday, April 19th, at 2p.m. at the McEwen-Pineville Chapel in Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of York County, 8177 Regent Parkway, Fort Mill, SC 29715 or the Anne Springs Close Greenway, PO Box 1209, Fort Mill, SC 29716.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.