Randolph Marc "Randy" Sarles

Surrounded by family, Randolph Marc (Randy) Sarles of Knoxville, TN passed away on February 13, 2026, following a short battle with aggressive cancer.

Randy was born on March 10th, 1952, in Wooster, Ohio to Raymond Lloyd and Florence Cook Sarles. In 1964, the family moved from Omaha, NE to small-town Princeton, WV where Randy spent most of his growing-up years with sisters Elizabeth and Margaret, graduating from Princeton High School, attending Concord College and then West Virginia University School of Pharmacy. He married Kellan Lou Kight, his college sweetheart from Hagerstown, MD, in 1975, becoming "Meathead" to his father-in-law, Harry, who would henceforth be forever known as "Archie."

Randy worked at Princeton Community Hospital (PCH) from 1976 until 2007, first as a staff pharmacist and later as Pharmacy Director, earning the love and respect of the entire medical staff for his knowledge, thoroughness, and quiet dependability. After retiring from PCH, Randy worked at Bluefield Regional Medical Center and Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center, Princeton.

Diabetic from age 9, Randy was incredibly disciplined –never letting the disease be an excuse for less than his best performance. He led diabetes education classes at PCH and was a diabetes counselor for CVS. He also taught pharmacology courses for Concord University. His wish was that his body be donated to the UT School of Anthropology to further research for a cure for diabetes.

Above all, Randy loved home and family and was so proud of sons Ben and Andy. He coached boys' soccer, and loved to watch the boys play basketball and Little League baseball. He supported Kellan in her activities and teaching career, and helped found Friends Unlimited, a social community for adults with disabilities. Randy loved to ride his bike –especially on the backroads of West Virginia. He enjoyed fraternity reunions, back-yard cookouts, multi-generational family vacations, international trips with Kellan, and a cold beer with friends.

In 2017, Randy and Kellan moved with Ben to Knoxville where they could participate in the lives of their children and grandchildren. Randy enjoyed making improvements to their new home and helping Kellan create and nurture vegetable and flower gardens. He could fix almost anything and was frugal for himself but generous with others. He especially loved the people and ministry of Erin Presbyterian Church.

He leaves to mourn his passage wife, Kellan Lou (Kight) Sarles; son, Benjamin Randolph Sarles; son, Dr. Stephen Andrew Sarles and wife Kelsey Sarles; grandchildren, Reed Andrew and Ali Jade Sarles; sisters, Elizabeth Ellen Moore of Charlotte, NC and Margaret Cook Choate (Dennis) of Pinehurst, NC; sister in law, Sally Gallena and husband Rich of Severna Park, MD; brother-in-law, Harry Edward (Ed) Kight and wife Denise McDougall of Bel Air, MD; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial service for Randy will be held at Erin Presbyterian Church on February 27th at 3:00 PM with a time of visitation one hour prior. Memorial donations may be made to Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Road, Knoxville, TN 37919, or to a charity of your choice.