Obituary of Robert Randle

Robert J (Bob) Randle passed away at the age of 85 on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 while a resident at the Tennessee State Veteran's Home in Murfreesboro (Tennessee) following a series of medical issues. He was previously a resident at the Country Cottage Assisted Living facility in Lawrenceburg (Tennessee) for more than seven years, and resided on Story Road in West Point (Tennessee) for approximately 20 years prior. He was born 17 March 1921 in Covington GA, and was the only son of Horace Dewit Randle and Willie May Hearn. Enlisting in the Georgia National Guard prior to World War II, he then transferred to the US Army Air Corps and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. Bob Randle served with distinction in the China Burma India Theater during WWII, receiving three Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals for his combat missions as a B-24 Heavy Bomber pilot and earned the Command Pilot rating. He later received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Omaha (Nebraska) and a Masters of Letters Degree from the University of Pittsburg (Pennsylvania). Bob Randle held a variety of demanding positions within the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command and Tactical Air Command, culminating in an assignment at Headquarters Air Force in the Pentagon. Bob Randle retired from active duty with the United States Air Force in 1964 at Stewart Air Force Base in Smyrna (Tennessee), having reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He then entered academia and taught courses in Management and Economics at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and Lem Motlow Community College in Tullahoma (Tennessee) before retiring again to become a farmer in West Point (Tennessee). Bob was preceded in death by one son (Douglas), his sister Evelyn, a former wife (Priscilla), and his recent companion of more than 20 years, Marie Moore. He is survived by three sons, John, Steven, and Hardin, one daughter, Amy, two sisters, Geraldine and Roselle, and a previous wife, Bobbie as well as five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Bob was a Master Mason (32nd degree) from the Tullahoma Lodge and a member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. A private interment service with full military honors was held. Those wishing may send condolences online at www.murfreesborofuneralhome.com. Murfreesboro Funeral Home, 145 Innsbrooke Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN. 615-896-2229.