James D. Randall

James Donald Randall, 87, passed away on January 25, 2026 in Smyrna, GA. He was born on October 3, 1938 in Biddeford, Maine to Vernon V. and Jeanie Smith Randall. Jim first met Beatrice Patane at a high school dance in 1956, where he caught her eye as a lifeguard and a bit of a rebel with a leather jacket and a motorcycle. They were married in November 1959 in Biddeford, Maine. Jim and Beatrice lived in Dover, NH, Endicott, NY, Rockville, MD, Boca Raton, FL, Pleasant Valley, NY, and Herndon, VA, before retiring in Dover, NH.

He earned an Electrical Engineering degree in 1964 from the University of New Hampshire while interning for GE. After graduation, he joined IBM in Endicott, NY. His IBM career spanned many areas and business divisions including supporting MRI systems for IBM instruments, working in Federal Systems on fighter aircraft, and as a Security Expert in the IBM Cryptographic Competency Center. He finished his thirty-four-year career in the Export Regulation Office in Washington, D.C. before retiring in 1998. After retiring, he continued working in data security as a standards expert for SPYRUS and Entrust. Retirement gave Jim and Beatrice the opportunity to move back to New England where they built a house in Dover, NH and traveled the world.

Jim always had a positive attitude and witty sense of humor and was a true engineer at heart. He passed these qualities on to his children, Karen and Eric, and they followed in his footsteps into engineering fields. His jokes, puns, and funny phrases are remembered fondly. He treasured his relationship with his grandson, Matthew, and the two shared in spontaneous trips and visits together throughout New England. Family was a great source of joy for him.

Jim was an avid reader, craftsman, home chef, and handyman. Jim showcased his creativity through his handmade jewelry for JB Designs, a fine jewelry business that brought Jim and Beatrice to numerous artist shows up and down the East Coast. Jim was also a passionate cook and baker, and his bespoke chef's kitchen was a hub for testing out new recipes with family and friends. He enjoyed walks by the tidepools along the rocky ocean shore, eating lobsters and clams, and sharing day trip drives with Beatrice along the scenic backroads of Maine and New Hampshire.

Jim loved traveling and was ready to go on a trip at any time. He was known for dropping in on friends or family with no advance warning and suitcase in hand, ready to visit for a few days. Jim was a proud Scotsman who enjoyed celebrating his Clan Ross heritage. He made many trips to Scotland over the years and could often be found relaxing with a Rusty Nail or a wee dram of Glenmorangie after a good meal.

James was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Grodan, and his son, Eric Randall. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Randall, daughter Karen Randall and son-in-law Dan Wasser of North Carolina, daughter-in-law Berlin Randall of Georgia, and grandson Matthew Wasser of Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation (National Headquarters, 733 Third Avenue, Ste. 510, New York, NY 10017): www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

Epitaph on a Friend

By Robert Burns

An honest man here lies at rest,

As e'er God with His image blest:

The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd,

Few heads with knowledge so inform'd:

If there's another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this.