Walter L Randolph, Jr.

Walter L. Red Randolph, 94, of Perkins, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2017, at his home. The family will receive friends from 2-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017 at Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater. Interment will follow at Olivet Cemetery in Perkins, Ok. Arrangements are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, Oklahoma.


He was born November 1, 1922, near Eminence, Shannon County, Missouri, the son of the late Walter L. and Donna Baker Randolph. Walter was preceded in death by one brother Gillis Randolph and two sisters Pauline Bailey and Audrey Mooney.

He was united in marriage to the late Vivian Dickerson of Winona, MO, on July 3, 1942, in Raton, New Mexico. He was later united in marriage to the late Winona (Sam) Murphree on November 25, 1970.

Walter (Red) grew up on the Missouri Ozark farm of his parents and graduated Eminence High School. He served as a member of the Military Police in the United States Army at Fort Carson, Colorado during World War II, 1941-1943, and recalled guarding a motorcade route that included President Franklin D. Roosevelt and walking the Larimer Street beat in Denver armed with 2 revolvers. During the pre-war build-up, 19401942, he worked as a carpenter and foreman charged with expanding Jefferson Barracks, and helping to construct Ft. Leonard Wood and Camp Crowder, all in MO.

After the war, Walter joined Harmon Construction Company, Oklahoma City, as a construction superintendent. He moved his wife Vivian and children frequently as Harmon assigned him to numerous large construction projects across five states. He earned the respect of his employer and employees as he proved his outstanding ability to manage large projects. Between 1944 and his retirement in 1988, buildings to Walters credit include the Energy and Petroleum Buildings and the new Library at the University of Oklahoma, several dormitories at Oklahoma State University and the University of Kansas, Classen Towers and May Street Apartments in OKC, portions of Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, and numerous other large buildings.

In 1966, while working at OSU he bought land near Perkins, which ultimately became his home for the last 50 years. Red raised Angus cattle and began restoring antique tractors after he retired. They enjoyed the years together, traveling across the USA just seeing where the road led. Later Red became an avid reader and enjoyed reading about American history and construction/engineering feats.

Red is survived by a son Roger Randolph (Anita) of Jefferson City, Missouri, a daughter Elaine Randolph Volk (Nick) of Santa Rosa, CA, three stepdaughters Paula Roberts of Benbrook, Texas; Kathy Stevens (Bill) of Altus, Oklahoma; and Donna McCullough (Darrell) of Glencoe, Oklahoma. He had 6 grand children: Stacey, Chris, Jeremy, Larissa, Bobby and Jessica and 9 great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in can be made to the Humane Society of Stillwater c/o Palmer Marler Funeral Home 5601 N. Washington St, Stillwater, Ok 74075.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guest book at www.pmcfh.com.