James McKinley Randall

james randall

July 5, 1940 ~ May 2, 2020

Born in: Madison Co., NC
Resided in: Asheville, NC

James McKinley Randall passed away May 2, 2020, in Asheville

James was born in Madison County on July 5, 1940, the son of the late Edward and Lula M. Sprinkle Randall. He has two daughters, Nancy (Perry) Oxendine and Sharon Randall. Taylor and Ryan Oxendine are his grandsons. His siblings include the late Irland (Pauline) Randall, Geneva (Everett) Cable, Everett (Judy) Randall, Bobby (Hilda) Randall, Ruth (the late J.C.) Miller, and Jerry (Alice) Randall.

James comes from a large, close-knit family and has numerous friends from all over, as he never met a stranger and loved talking and laughing. He attended church, read the Bible faithfully, and believed in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Most recently, he was a member of Alexander Baptist Church, led by his cousin Pastor Gerald Sprinkle, who has been a life-long friend.

James left his childhood home in Marion, NC, to join the U.S. Army in 1959, serving part of his time in the Korean War. When discharged, he joined the Navy Reserve and spent twenty years as a Navy Seabee, learning construction skills. As a civilian, James worked with various construction companies, helping build the under-ground tunnel from Virginia to Maryland, the Christina River Bridge in Delaware, and the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville, among many other construction jobs that he greatly enjoyed. Some of his brothers worked with him on these jobs. After working in construction from 1961-86, James transitioned to being a City of Asheville Fireman. During this time, James became certified in arson investigation and emergency medical services. He retired from the Asheville Fire Department after twelve years and became the Property Manager for Moss Real Estate Holdings for the next fifteen years. James was a master at growing beautiful plants and flowers. He treasured listening to and singing gospel songs with others, and playing the guitar and piano “by ear.” Daddy loved the Lord, his family, and fellowship with others.

Due to the Covid-19 quarantine, the modified funeral services are as follows: James will be at Groce Funeral Home in West Asheville from 8:00 am through 6:00 pm Friday, May 8. Friends and family are encouraged to come say their good-byes and sign the register book during this time. Graveside services will be 11:00 am Saturday, May 9, at Alexander Baptist Church and limited in attendance numbers by virus restrictions. As soon as attendance restrictions are completely lifted, the family will announce a Celebration of Life reunion where all of James’ family and friends will be invited to fellowship together, sharing remembrances of James, along with singing, eating, and hearing God’s message. We hope this celebration can happen in July.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Gideons International, PO Box 1788, Marion, NC 28752, or to Alexander Baptist Church, 1 Curtis Parker Rd., Alexander, NC 28701 or to 18 Lollis Rd., Candler, NC 28715.

Services

For those who wish to pay their respects: May 8, 2020 8:00 am - March 28, 2024 6:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Private Graveside Service: May 9, 2020 11:00 am

Alexander Baptist Church Cemetery
1 Curtis Parker Road
Alexander, NC 28701


Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Army Veteran

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I love you Daddy!!!❤
    I know you are having a grand reunion in Heaven, singing and laughing!!! I will miss you and will cherish sweet memories!
    LOVE YOU ALWAYS!!!
    Nancy Randall Oxendine

  2. We are so sorry for your loss but there is a better place and he is rejoicing with all his loved ones. May all your memories sustain you. He was such a sweet man.

  3. We live in the park and Jim, was our lot Manager for years, he was a very sweet man. We thought the world of him, always very nice to us, he rode around checking on the park, and always stopped and talked when he seen us in the yard. May Gid Bless.

  4. We live in the park and Jim, was our lot Manager for years, he was a very sweet man. We thought the world of him, always very nice to us, he rode around checking on the park, and always stopped and talked when he seen us in the yard. May God Bless.

  5. We have a Sunday morning church service at Pelican Health. Mr Randall became a very special friend. After finding out how much he liked home grown tomatoes we made sure he had one every Sunday during the summer. Then he enjoyed our “V5” juice made from the tomatoes. We are going to miss his smile and conversations but we can continue when we get Home too. Our prayers are with all the family.

  6. Nancy & Sharron,
    I am sorry to hear that your Dad passed away. You & your families will be in my prayers.

  7. Nsncy and Sha
    ron, we are so sorry for the loss of James! He was al ways happy and fun to be around! Heaven just got sweeter! Love, Chris and Dana Murphy ❤

  8. Nancy and Sharon,
    James was one of my many first cousins. In fact, we lived on the same road for many years. He visited us numerous times while growing up. We would sing and have lots of fun together. He and my daddy would play the guitar and sing along. I have a feeling they are both singing together now in that heavenly home. I appreciate his service to our country. So sorry for the loss of your father, and our cousin and dear friend. Our loss is heaven’s gain. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

  9. Enjoyed many years of serving with a hard working BU. You were also a good man that helped keep the moral of your fellow CB up. Fair winds!

  10. We served in the Seabees together. I am sorry to hear of his passing and offer my deepest sympathies to you all. I know where he is and that he is happier now than he has ever been and that we will see him again in heaven. Fair winds and following seas brother!

  11. We served in the Seabees together. I am sorry to hear of his passing and my deepest sympathies are with you all. I know that we will see him again one day in heaven. We may have lost a brother, but heaven gained a saint. Fair winds and following seas brother!

  12. Dear family,
    James was one of my many cousins that I did not get to know until we were years into adulthood.
    I remember his army picture on the shelf at Uncle Edward and Aunt Lula’s as I grew up but came to know him through our interest in plants, then at the Sprinkle reunions and just occassionally running into him while shopping in Asheville.
    I will miss him and always remember him as a friendly, loving cousin.


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