Eric James Randall

Eric James Randall, 58, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away on December 31, 2025. Born on April 22, 1967 in Rockville, Maryland to Beatrice and James Randall, Eric spent his childhood in Maryland, Florida, and New York. Following his father's passion for engineering, Eric graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1989. He worked in Virginia, New Jersey, and Maryland before settling down in Georgia, getting his Professional Engineering Certification in 1998. Eric held a number of private and public positions in the Atlanta area, most recently as Director of Public Works for the City of Smyrna. Eric met the love of his life, Berlin, at a catering event for a mutual friend in 1998. They were married on May 21, 2000 in Roswell, Georgia, celebrating with family and friends.

Eric had many passions including cooking, music, travel, and bad puns. Some of his favorite times were preparing meals for those he loved. His mother's Italian heritage gave him a natural flair for fresh pastas and sauces, and many hours were spent discovering and sharing new recipes with family and friends. He and his father loved to bake together, and his cakes were the centerpiece of many events, including the wedding of his sister and brother-in-law. He always found ways to keep fridges (and bellies) full.

Eric was deeply devoted to his family. His love for Berlin came through in acts big and small, always surprising her with his ability to anticipate what she needed, whether it be refreshments for a cozy night at home or having all the right supplies at hand for her jewelry shows. Even more moving is the way Eric fully and whole-heartedly embraced Berlin's daughter Brittany as he and Brittany learned together to navigate the ins and outs of becoming a blended family bound together by their mutual love for her mother. Berlin's large and very southern extended family also benefitted from Eric's culinary skills, from special desserts at festive gatherings to the carving of the turkey at Thanksgiving. He made sure his parents' fridge was always full and restocked his sister's freezer whenever he could so she was never without chicken soup and homemade ravioli. His nephew Matthew shared his enthusiasm for Legos, cooking, and puns, and Eric made the special effort to be part of every important event in his life.

His warmth and thoughtfulness also extended to his relationships with friends and colleagues. Eric and Berlin's close group of friends were like family with whom they shared concerts, trips, meals, laughs, and tears. He was well known at work and he stood out for his generosity and professionalism, as well as his distinctive white hair and loud voice that could fill any room. Eric had a genuine desire to help others and get to know anyone he met. Amid life's stresses and responsibilities, Eric took the time to reach out, follow up, and ask how others were doing, always ending his phone calls with 'talk soon.'

Eric's death was incredibly sudden; he had so many more recipes to bake, puns to make, and trips to take. Everyone Eric knew was changed for the better having known him, and we grieve knowing how much good he still had to offer the world. Eric is survived by his wife of 25 years, Berlin Randall, his stepdaughter, Brittany Rehklau, his parents Beatrice and James Randall, his sister and brother-in-law, Karen Randall and Daniel Wasser, his nephew, Matthew Wasser, and his mother-in-law, Glenda Wheeler. Eric is also survived by innumerable friends and colleagues who deeply mourn his loss.

Talk soon. Je t'

Visitation is from 12:30-2pm at the Marietta Funeral Home and Crematory, located at 915 Piedmont Road, Marietta, GA. Services will take place at 2pm.