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Randolph Peets, Jr.
Jackson
Randolph Dillon Peets, Jr. was born January 17, 1925 in Brookhaven, MS, the son of Randolph Dillon Peets and Wyeth Jones Peets. Along with his brother "Bobby", the Peets family moved to Euclid Avenue in Jackson in 1933. After a prank-filled childhood - including swimming in the water tower on Riverside Drive, skating around the outside balcony atop the Old Capitol in downtown Jackson, and stuffing socks in the instruments of his fellow trumpet players - Randolph graduated from Central High School in 1942.
With the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor fresh in his mind, Randolph entered the U.S. Navy V-12 program at Millsaps College where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, received his Commission at Columbia University, and served his country as a communications officer aboard the USS Rizzi in the Pacific theater. After WWII, Randolph attended Tulane University in New Orleans where he earned a business degree and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.
In 1948, Randolph married the former Charlotte Gulledge of Crystal Springs. Randolph and Charlotte had a happy marriage of 60 years until Charlotte's death in 2008. They had three children - Dale, Wyeth and Randy - nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. With Charlotte's reminders, Randolph attended many recitals, birthday parties, ballgames, and other events involving the children and grandchildren. Most times, Randolph and Charlotte went in separate cars as he tended to arrive late and leave early, and she didn't want to miss a moment!
Also in 1948, Randolph joined his dad at Mississippi School Supply Company and began a long and successful career with MISSCO. Randolph's first job was as a traveling salesman calling on school superintendents, principals, and coaches all across the state - stopping many times at pay phones to make the next appointment and almost as many times for a root beer float at the closest soda fountain!
Over the years, Randolph served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of MISSCO and its affiliated companies. He was well-known throughout the school supply and equipment industry, serving as an officer or board member of the National School Supply and Equipment Association on several occasions. Randolph was also active in local community affairs serving as an officer or board member of the YMCA, Downtown Jackson Rotary Club, Goodwill Industries, and Galloway Memorial Methodist Church.
Randolph loved to sing - especially "barbershop style" - and was very active in both the local and national chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quarter Singing in America (SPEBSQSA). He and Charlotte traveled many times to the national convention to renew friendships all across the country and listen to the competing quartets, and joining others for impromptu renditions of Sweet Adeline in the hotel lobby and sometimes even in the elevator.
Randolph was an enthusiastic student of history, especially Southern history, and had great admiration for Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee and the gentlemanly qualities espoused by both. He especially admired the role that Lee played in reuniting the country after the Civil War. Randolph enjoyed visiting Civil War sites and studying battlefield tactics. Randolph also loved Ronald Reagan and train travel. One of the highlights of his later years was a trip across the Canadian Rockies aboard the Rocky Mountaineer with Charlotte, their three children and their spouses.
If a man's legacy is his family, then Randolph and Charlotte have left quite a legacy. Randolph worked hard to provide for his family and was always there for them. He and Charlotte worked even harder to do many things as a family and keep all three children and their spouses, and all nine grandchildren and their spouses safe and closely connected. They succeeded exceedingly well.
Randolph loved his God in a quiet way and expressed his Christianity through living a life of principle and integrity. He was respected and well liked by all who knew him. His kindness and sense of humor will be missed by his family, former co-workers, and many friends.
Randolph was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Charlotte Dale Gulledge Peets and his brother Robert Jones Peets. He is survived by his daughters Dale Sorgenfrei (Mark) and Wyeth Luter (Billy), his son Randy Peets (Jackie), 9 grandchildren, Mark Sorgenfrei (Kim), Brian Sorgenfrei (Liza), Andrew Luter(Christi), Daniel Luter (Meghan), David Luter, Ryan Peets, Jill Peets, Ross Peets and Reed Peets and 4 great grandchildren, Graham Sorgenfrei, Lucy Sorgenfrei , Shelby Sorgenfrei and Annie Sorgenfrei.
Memorials may be made to The Barbershop Society, 110 7th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37203 or Reformed University Ministries, 1700 North Brown Rd., Suite 104, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, or Galloway Memorial Methodist Church, 305 North Congress St., Jackson, MS 39201 or your favorite charity.
Visitation will be Sunday Oct. 28, 2012 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Wright and Ferguson Highland Colony Parkway. A graveside service will be held Monday at 10:00 am at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, Ridgeland, MS.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Love my Papaw! So sad I only got 4 precious years with you but I hear about you all the time!
Shelby
Family
March 1, 2024
We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. We're sending you a hug from afar.
Tarah Newsom
March 28, 2013
Dale, love and prayers.
Jo Hull Minor
November 2, 2012
Prayers are with your family during this difficult time. Know you will miss him
.
Walt & Angela Dallas
November 2, 2012
Sad to hear of your loss. I was part of the MISSCO family for many years and appreciated his humor and kind smile. He'll be missed by many.God be with you.
Anita Mangold Wilson
Anita Wilson
October 29, 2012
Bob & Jackie Marchetti
October 28, 2012
John & Linda Marchetti
October 28, 2012
May the God of comfort be with you and your family at this difficult time.
October 28, 2012
My prayers and sympathy to Randolph's family. I had the pleasure of working with him and the family at MISSCO.
Beth Nesossis
October 28, 2012
Randolph was always one of my favorite cousins. As a child, I visited Aunt Wyeth and Uncle Ran. Randolph and Bobby were so thoughtful and patient with me as a younger cousin. He has always been someone whom I respected and admired for his integrity and love of family. He is the last of that generation of cousins, and I am very sorry to learn of his death. Love and best wishes to his children and grandchilden. Randolph was certainly an inspiration to all of us.
Rena Jean (Schmieg)
October 28, 2012
From the summer of 1959 until the summer of 1961, I served as secretary for Mr. Peets while I attended Millsaps. His patience and example have served me well as I continued my education at Ole Miss and throughout my administrative career. My thoughts are with you as you celebrate his remarkable life. Reba McCullouch Greer
October 28, 2012
I knew Randolph though our boys at Jackson Prep. He was always personable and smiling. The obituary was touching, caring and loving. I know he will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with you.
Eugene G. Wood Jr.
October 28, 2012
With sympathy,
Paige, Bobby, James and Tyler Long
October 27, 2012
Uncle Randolph and Charlotte were always my favorites when I would see them in Natchez or Brookhaven at family events which they never missed. He always had a twinkle in his eyes that would light up a room. He loved to tell me the story of when he was a little boy and slid down the banister on the front stairs and his belt buckle left a deep mark. I always wondered what caused that. Now when I go up or down the front stairs and see the marks, I think of him and smile as he left a mark on me as well.
Jean Wyeth Wood
October 27, 2012
"May God comfort you and your family at the difficult time."
Lynda O'Neal Brandon MS
Lynda O'Neal
October 27, 2012
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
The Staff of Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home-Parkway Memorial Cemetery
October 27, 2012
May the God of comfort be with your family at this difficult time.
Ann
October 27, 2012
May God grant you comfort at this most difficult time.
October 27, 2012
You have my sympathy.
Jay Wiener
October 27, 2012
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Funeral services provided by:
Parkway Funeral Home and Memorial Park1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, MS 39157
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