Daniel Randolph

RANDOLPH, Daniel Fitz

Daniel Fitz Randolph died peacefully on April 3, 2025, beside his beloved wife, Karen. Born on July 30, 1941, in Hornell, New York, Fitz lived with a delight and appreciation for this world and his beloved friends and family every day of his life.

Fitz spent his childhood in Milton, Wisconsin, where he grew up working on a farm, enjoying nature, and getting into mischief with his brothers and sisters. He earned a Bachelor's in Sociology from Milton College, and had a brief stint working for social services. He quickly discovered this was not his preferred line of work, but not before meeting the love of his life, Karen Eagan, as she was completing a social work internship. He wooed her with his love for jazz and his eccentricity. Though she would not go on a date with him when he first asked, she allowed him to take her to meet a truck driver whom he had photographed with his rig. She quickly knew that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. They were happily married 58 years.

Fitz studied photography via correspondence school and launched his career in professional photography as he moved to Atlanta, in 1968. He built a successful photography business, Studio Fitz, and many of his clients and employees became his closest friends. He was an artist who saw innate beauty in all parts of life. He never stopped creating.

Fitz and Karen cultivated a life in Atlanta, where they raised two daughters, Jennifer and Meg. He considered his sons-in-law, Michael and Wilson, as his own sons. Fitz played an integral role in nurturing his four beloved grandchildren: Hazel, Annabelle, Rosemary, and Theo. Fitz's creativity, love of making and listening to music, and play are manifest in all his friends and family.

Fitz had a prophetic dream in his later years, where he died and went to heaven. He was told to return to earth to share God's message to "Help Each Other". He lived this mission with his words and actions, and he considered this mantra to be his legacy.

Fitz was diagnosed with melanoma over a decade ago. He addressed his diagnosis with strength and grace. He adored his treatment team at Emory University and delighted in telling jokes at every medical appointment. He made people around him laugh and feel important no matter his degree of suffering. He credits his medical team for extending his life multiple times through their thoughtful use of innovations in cancer treatment. Though the disease ultimately took his life, he will be remembered for his love, kindness, passion, creativity, and sense of playfulness.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 12, at 2:00 PM, at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emory's Winship Cancer Institute for the purpose of advancing cancer treatment (https://together.emory.edu/give). Anyone who loved Fitz can honor his memory by "helping each other".