Theodore "Ted" Fitz Randolph III

Ted Randolph passed away on May 3, 2015, in Birmingham, AL, at the age of 93. Ted was born on December 3, 1921, the only son of the late Theodore Fitz Randolph, II and Serena Kirkpatrick Fitz Randolph. He is survived by his sister Serena Chesnut MacRae Crosby, of St. Augustine, FL. and preceded in death by his sister, Jane Randolph Casey, of Birmingham.

Ted is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Jane Scruggs Fitz Randolph and by his five children: Serena Randolph Smith (Paul) of Banner Elk, NC; Jane Randolph Peklenk (Steve) of Charlotte, NC; Theodore Fitz Randolph, IV (Diane) of Richmond, MA; Mary Randolph Hanson (Victor) of Birmingham; and James Douglas Kirkpatrick Fitz Randolph, of Salisbury, NC.

Ted has eleven grandchildren: Douglas Smith (Margaret); Katharine Smith Spradling (Jason); Nathaniel Smith, Mary Chesnut Smith; Caroline Peklenk; Eleanor Randolph, Sophia Randolph, Thomas Randolph; Virginia Hanson Apple (Benjamin); Victor Hanson, IV (Linley); John Hanson (Clair). His great-grandchildren are: Amelia Spradling, Wesley Spradling, Savannah Apple and Emma James Hanson. He is also survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews as well as dear friends.

Born in Birmingham, Ted attended Lakeview School and graduated from Ramsey High School. He was on the Dean’s List at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1944 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. While at MIT, Ted joined the US Navy, as Ensign, and received further graduate training at Cornell and Columbia Universities for Electrical, Diesel and Naval engineering. Later he served as Chief Diesel Engineer on a minesweeper in the Pacific Theater.

Returning to Birmingham after the war, Ted worked at several local companies before joining Harbert Construction in 1949. As a Vice President at Harbert and its Chief Engineer, Ted engaged in a myriad of projects from heavy roadwork and bridges to water and sewer systems, pipelines and coal mining. In 1979, Ted and Jane moved to Eilat, Israel for two years, where Ted helped oversee Harbert’s construction of an underground Israeli airbase in the Negev Desert as part of the Camp David Accords. He retired from Harbert after 36 years.

Ted was a faithful member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church where he was on the Building Committee for the current Acton Road campus and new sanctuary. Ted grew up as an active member of St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church serving in many capacities including vestry membership. He was also involved in the Episcopal Cursillo movement, and along with Jane, was on the staff of Alabama Cursillo #1.

Every year of his life Ted traveled to Linville, NC with his family to enjoy hiking, rock climbing, swimming and picnics around the summer home his grandparents built in 1920. Ted especially loved the trails of Grandfather Mountain, last hiking to MacRae Peak a few months short of his 91st birthday. Ted was a long-time member of the Linville Golf Club.

Ted was a member of the Mountain Brook Club, where he took up tennis after he retired and enjoyed the 59 Forever Tennis group. He was also a member of the General Society of Colonial Wars. He was a founding member and past president of the St. Andrew’s Society of the Middle South.

Ted loved sharing a good story and possessed a dry wit. He was great at solving problems of all kinds, and was always ready to offer an unconventional perspective. When stranded on the west coast due to the lack of transportation available for members of the armed services after the surrender of Japan, he bought a second-hand Culver Cadet and was soon flying home.

Ted enjoyed his family and friends, his career and many adventures, but the bedrock of his life was Jesus Christ. He accepted Him as his Lord and Savior. Evident to anyone who knew him were these gifts of the Spirit: love, patience, kindness and gentleness.

One of Ted’s favorite Bible verses was: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Following a private graveside service, a celebration of Ted’s life will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church at 1:30 pm, Wednesday May 6. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243, or to All Saints Episcopal Church, PO Box 117, Linville NC 28646

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.