81R6553 JKB-D
By: McClendon H.R. No. 424
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and
meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends
of Ben Randle, Jr., of San Antonio, who passed away on December 4,
2008, at the age of 83; and
WHEREAS, Ben Randle, Jr., was born to Ben and Carrie Randle of
Wichita Falls on April 25, 1925; he graduated from Peabody High
School in Hillsboro and joined Wade Chapel at a young age, beginning
what would become a lifelong association with the African Methodist
Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Randle answered his nation's call to duty by
joining the U.S. Navy in September 1943, and he was decorated
several times for his valor in the Pacific theater; he enrolled in
Langston University after the war and met the former Rita Belle
Cotton, with whom he would enjoy more than 57 years of loving
marriage; Mr. Randle earned a bachelor of science degree in
industrial arts and lettered in band at Langston, and he furthered
his education with postgraduate work at Oklahoma State University
and the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, After leaving college, Mr. Randle taught industrial
arts and band in Oklahoma; a few years later, he returned to serve
the armed forces as a jet engine instructor for the U.S. Air Force,
earning his master instructor rating and going on to obtain his
instructor of instructors license at Chanute Air Force Base in
Illinois; Mr. Randle began teaching for the education department of
the air force in 1967 and continued in that capacity until his
retirement in 1986, having served for more than three decades and
earned multiple Civilian of the Year awards; and
WHEREAS, An expert mentor with a natural gift for imparting
life's lessons, Mr. Randle counseled troubled children and adults
throughout his life; following his retirement, he lent his talents
to the San Antonio Alliance of Business, helping facilitate
employment for at-risk individuals; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Randle was also an avid airman, belonging to the
Air Force Aerial Club and the Bronze Eagles Flying Club of Texas,
and he worked extensively with the Bronze Eagles and the
Davis-Scott YMCA to interest minority youth in the field of flying;
he loved gardening and frequently gave his vegetables to friends
and neighbors, and he was a master of the tenor saxophone who at one
time led his own jazz ensemble; and
WHEREAS, This notable Texan was a longstanding member of the
Bronze Eagles, the Black Pilots Association, and the Sunset Hunting
and Fishing Club, and he spent five decades as a scoutmaster and
scout council member with the Boy Scouts of America; he was a member
of Bethel A.M.E. Church in San Antonio, where he worked diligently
for the scout ministry, and was a former leader of the San Antonio
chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Beloved by his family and friends, Ben Randle was
respected by all who knew him, and although he is deeply missed, his
spirit lives on through the many positive contributions he made in
service to others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Ben Randle, Jr., and
extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
Rita Belle Cotton Randle; to his cousins; to his nieces; and to his
other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ben Randle,
Jr.