James David RANDALL Jr.

RANDALL, James David Jr., BG, AUS (Ret.) 82, of Valrico, died Friday, July 13, 2012, at home. Born February 5, 1930 in Alabama, he moved to Hillsborough County in 1955. He graduated from Macon County High School in Notasulga, AL, where he was President of his Senior Class, an Eagle Scout and lettered in football, basketball and baseball and then graduated from Auburn University with his BS in 1952 and later with a MS in 1955. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1952, he is a Korean War era veteran having served in Germany in the Army of Occupation. After active duty, he remained in the U.S. Army Reserve for 38 years, retiring as a Brigadier General. He is a graduate of the Army Armor School, Engineer School, Transportation School, Command and General Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Army War College. Mr. Randall began his career in education as a teacher at Pinecrest School. He later taught and served as Dean of Boys at Plant City High School. In 1959 he was assigned as Assistant Principal at Brandon High School and in 1964 became the Principal. In 1968, he was transferred to the District School Office serving as General Director of Area I, II, and III Schools. Later he served as General Director of Operations, Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Operations and Deputy Superintendent, retiring in 1991. Mr. Randall is a Life Member of Florida Congress of Parents and Teachers and the Reserve Officers' Association. He is a former member of the Brandon Lion's Club, Hillsborough County Senior High School Principal's Council, National Education Association, Florida Education Association, Hillsborough County Educational Association, Auburn Alumni Association, Tampa Bay Auburn Club, Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and the Association of the U.S. Army. In 1999, the Hillsborough County School Board honored Mr. Randall by naming the new middle school in Fishhawk Creek the "James D. Randall, Jr." Middle School. He is a Christian and Baptist. He is survived by his wife, Mary A. Randall, Valrico; sons, James, III, Sydney, Joseph (Cheryl), Irmo, SC and Mark, Riverview; sister, Mary Jo Randall, Opelika, AL and three granddaughters, Allyson, Debra and Savannah Jo, all of Irmo, SC. Funeral services will be held 2 pm Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at Southside Baptist Church, 415 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon, with the family receiving friends one hour prior to services. Interment will follow at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James D. Randall, Jr. Middle School, via the Hillsborough County Education Foundation, 2010 W. Hillsborough Avenue, Suite 212, Tampa, FL 33610. Please sign guestbook at SouthernFuneralCare.com.