1914
James
2007
James Randall
May 9, 1914 — June 5, 2007
Funeral services for longtime businessman, James F. Randall, age 93, of Ortonville will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 11, 2007, at the First Congregational Church in Milbank. The Reverend Colleen Natalie-Lees will officiate. Music will be provided by Sheila Dailie, pianist and Jeff Natalie-Lees, soloist. Visitation will be at the church on Monday one hour before services. Burial with military graveside rites, presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #750 of Watertown, will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown, SD. Mr. Randall died on June 5, 2007, at the Northridge Residence in Ortonville, MN. Active pallbearers will be his children and spouses: Kevin Randall and fiancAC.e' Katherine Maguire, Doug and Shirley Randall, Linda and Robert Off, Charleen and David Boardman, Colleen Randall, Gordon Randall, James and Candace Randall; Grandchildren: Shelly Randall, Troy Randall, Reyna Alishio, Karlene Wenz, Jennifer Jackson, Erica Randall, Scott Randall, Michael Randall, Jason Randall, Tricia Randall, Sarah Dick, Natalie Randall, Joshua Randall, and Evan Randall. Honorary Pallbearers: Four Great Grandchildren. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Northridge Residence, 1075 Roy Street, Ortonville, MN 56278.
James Frederick Randall was born May 9, 1914, in Watertown, SD, the second son to Lucy (Humphrey) and Calvin Randall. He was named Albert Frederick Randall, a name he later changed to James since he was always called "Jimmy." Jim grew up in Watertown. From the age of nine he became a carrier for the Watertown Public Opinion newspaper and worked his way up from carrier to supervisor and finally master carrier.
The early death of his father required Jim to take on additional jobs to help support his mother and siblings. He worked for family friend Joe Messer of Shaw-Messer Funeral Home all through high school and college. After graduation from Watertown High School he worked many jobs, including Western Trucking, to generate the funds for college and family. He had many a story to tell about driving trucks in the late '30's around rural South Dakota.
Jim attended SDSU in Brookings and graduated with a BS in Horticulture in 1940. He always said a favorite part about attending college was meeting Carleton "Tido" Nash, and they were married September 3, 1938. While he was at SDSU he was also in ROTC, and upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. In the infantry. Jim entered military service in March 1941 and was assigned to Ft. Warren, WY as CO of a training regiment; later service included Quartermaster of Baking Co. at Monterey, CA, Special Troops at Camp Carson, CO. He then returned to SDSU in 1942 as Captain and Assistant Professor of Military Science & Tactics and was CO of a company of military engineering students at SDSU. He developed a bit of a reputation among the ROTC students (including Jack Price and Jim Emanuel). He was occasionally asked by the Dean of Students to calm "restless" ROTC students which meant a march from Brookings to Volga, where as the "old man" he established a nickname of "Rubber Legs" Randall, as he successfully met all challenges from his men. In 1944 he went overseas, first to England to train replacement troops, then on to France, and at the end of WWII was assigned as CO of Military Government in Offenbach a' Maine and in charge of the repatriation of a Russian POW camp until June of 1946. He was honorably discharged as a Major in 1946 and returned to his family in Geddes, South Dakota. Jim was a life member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In 1946 Jim was appointed to head up the Department of Plant Industry for South Dakota. In October of 1947 Jim and Carleton purchased the Milbank Greenhouse and made Milbank their home for the remainder of their lives. A short time later, Jim also joined the Milbank Post Office where he was an in-town carrier and the rural carrier for 37 years, finally retiring at the age of 70. Throughout this time Jim and Carleton maintained the operations of the Milbank Greenhouse until they retired in 1990. Together they took great pride in preparation of flowers for all occasions, and the beautiful planters they prepared in the spring for Memorial Day were an unmatched tradition.
Jim had a particular fondness for hunting and fishing with his brother Les while they were growing up in Watertown and later with his own boys. He especially loved to read when time permitted. He loved a good story and particularly liked cartoons about rural America. He was a soft-spoken man who considered all as equals and had a strong sense of helping and supporting the less fortunate. Jim was always ready with a helpful hand to anyone. He loved to attend the local musical events and dance recitals. He had a life-long love of dogs and children, believed in hard work, beautiful flowers, and his family.
Jim is survived by seven children, James (wife Candace) of Denver, Doug (wife Shirley Fredrichsen ) of Columbia, MO, Linda Off (husband Robert) of Santa Fe, NM, Gordon of Raleigh, NC Kevin (fiancAC.e Katherine Maguire), Rapid City, Charleen Boardman (husband David) of Wahpeton, ND, and Colleen Randall, Scottsdale, AZ. Jim also leaves fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carleton (Tido), his four brothers and a sister.
James Frederick Randall was born May 9, 1914, in Watertown, SD, the second son to Lucy (Humphrey) and Calvin Randall. He was named Albert Frederick Randall, a name he later changed to James since he was always called "Jimmy." Jim grew up in Watertown. From the age of nine he became a carrier for the Watertown Public Opinion newspaper and worked his way up from carrier to supervisor and finally master carrier.
The early death of his father required Jim to take on additional jobs to help support his mother and siblings. He worked for family friend Joe Messer of Shaw-Messer Funeral Home all through high school and college. After graduation from Watertown High School he worked many jobs, including Western Trucking, to generate the funds for college and family. He had many a story to tell about driving trucks in the late '30's around rural South Dakota.
Jim attended SDSU in Brookings and graduated with a BS in Horticulture in 1940. He always said a favorite part about attending college was meeting Carleton "Tido" Nash, and they were married September 3, 1938. While he was at SDSU he was also in ROTC, and upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. In the infantry. Jim entered military service in March 1941 and was assigned to Ft. Warren, WY as CO of a training regiment; later service included Quartermaster of Baking Co. at Monterey, CA, Special Troops at Camp Carson, CO. He then returned to SDSU in 1942 as Captain and Assistant Professor of Military Science & Tactics and was CO of a company of military engineering students at SDSU. He developed a bit of a reputation among the ROTC students (including Jack Price and Jim Emanuel). He was occasionally asked by the Dean of Students to calm "restless" ROTC students which meant a march from Brookings to Volga, where as the "old man" he established a nickname of "Rubber Legs" Randall, as he successfully met all challenges from his men. In 1944 he went overseas, first to England to train replacement troops, then on to France, and at the end of WWII was assigned as CO of Military Government in Offenbach a' Maine and in charge of the repatriation of a Russian POW camp until June of 1946. He was honorably discharged as a Major in 1946 and returned to his family in Geddes, South Dakota. Jim was a life member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In 1946 Jim was appointed to head up the Department of Plant Industry for South Dakota. In October of 1947 Jim and Carleton purchased the Milbank Greenhouse and made Milbank their home for the remainder of their lives. A short time later, Jim also joined the Milbank Post Office where he was an in-town carrier and the rural carrier for 37 years, finally retiring at the age of 70. Throughout this time Jim and Carleton maintained the operations of the Milbank Greenhouse until they retired in 1990. Together they took great pride in preparation of flowers for all occasions, and the beautiful planters they prepared in the spring for Memorial Day were an unmatched tradition.
Jim had a particular fondness for hunting and fishing with his brother Les while they were growing up in Watertown and later with his own boys. He especially loved to read when time permitted. He loved a good story and particularly liked cartoons about rural America. He was a soft-spoken man who considered all as equals and had a strong sense of helping and supporting the less fortunate. Jim was always ready with a helpful hand to anyone. He loved to attend the local musical events and dance recitals. He had a life-long love of dogs and children, believed in hard work, beautiful flowers, and his family.
Jim is survived by seven children, James (wife Candace) of Denver, Doug (wife Shirley Fredrichsen ) of Columbia, MO, Linda Off (husband Robert) of Santa Fe, NM, Gordon of Raleigh, NC Kevin (fiancAC.e Katherine Maguire), Rapid City, Charleen Boardman (husband David) of Wahpeton, ND, and Colleen Randall, Scottsdale, AZ. Jim also leaves fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carleton (Tido), his four brothers and a sister.