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Randall Kreiling Obituary
PEORIA - Randall A. Kreiling, 64, of Monticello, Ind., formerly of Peoria, passed away at 4:13 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at IU Health White Memorial Hospital in Monticello, Ind.
Randall was born Jan. 31, 1947, in Chicago to Tilmon and Harriette Hofer Kreiling.
Surviving are three daughters, Kathryn Ruth (Ron) Rombs of Irving, Texas, Kimberly June Kreiling (Ken) Miller of Claremont, Calif., Melia Kreiling of London, England; five grandchildren, Jacob, Mary, Clare, Leigh and Annie; and one brother, David Kreiling of Dallas, Texas.
Randall was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Tilmon Kreiling Jr.
Randall was an internationally renowned commodities trader, cornering global cattle, pork bellies, sugar and metals markets before the age of 30.
He lived, traded and worked in Dallas, Texas; Geneva, Switzerland; Hydra, Greece; Hong Kong, China; Athens, Greece; Mount Jura, France; Helsinki, Finland; Majorca, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Vienna, Austria; London, England; Moscow, Russia; Chicago, Illinois; Sanibel Island, Florida; Melbourne, Florida; Africa; and Monticello, Ind.
Randall invested and owned interests in the Pirate Bar in Greece; Crossair Airlines in Switzerland; Beefalo in Texas; and the Elite Modeling Agency in Chicago, Ill.
Randall was a member of Phi Gamma Delta at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he earned honors in economics, graduating in three years with a B.A., then earning his J.D. at the SMU School of Law while working at the Southwestern School of Banking at SMU.
Randall was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.
Randall quarterbacked the Peoria High School football team to undefeated back-to-back seasons in 1963 and '64. He was a swimming and diving champion, lettered in tennis, golf and track and field and won a national karate championship.
He was a hunter, art collector, drummer and the best dancer in the history of Peoria, by far. He forged a stunning home from rock on a barren island and embodied the aesthete in the refinement of tastes that ranged from rare French cognacs to classical Greek architecture to mink coats (for himself).
He met Mao II's right-hand man obtaining exclusive agreements with the communist Chinese government for Chinese grain exports worldwide and rights to build a ski resort in Manchuria. He flew Ray Charles, stranded at the Geneva airport, to his concert in Spain, playing poker with him on Randy's plane as Ray sang "Georgia on My Mind" acapella as a grateful thank you.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at The Wilton Mortuary. Visitation will be one hour before services Saturday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery.
Randall lived life in grandeur and poverty as a believer in Jesus Christ. He is remembered as a man who really lived and loved life as if each day was his last. He infected each person he met with charm, charisma, intelligence, laughter and inspiration melded into big, BIG storytelling. Texas was too small and Earth a bit player in his drama. He smiled, swaggered and shrugged in the Now, like the rest of us wish.
His daughter Melia reminds us that Randall's life is captured paradoxically by his certainty that whether naughty or nice: "To die will be an awfully big adventure." - from "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie.
He loved and was loved from the core, and our love for him will grow each day that we live without him. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.thewiltonmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Randall Kreiling
Claudia
January 29, 2025
Pensées affectueuses en souvenir de notre amour de jeunesse. Claudia.
Joel Eastman
November 15, 2011
This is such sad news. Randy was a couple of years older than myself, but I will never ever forget the sight of him literally flying off of the high diving board at CC of P. After first thinking the board was going to snap in two, he would soar to incedible heights before knifing into the water. Aside from his terrific athletic ability, what guts!!
When looking at colleges, I narrowed my choices to SMU and U. of Florida. For my visit to SMU, Randy was my host for the weekend. Spring of 1968. On Saturday night we went to a James Brown concert--Randy never sat down but rather danced the entire show. Both James and Randy were a sight to see.
Although I became a Gator, I eventually found my way to SMU for law school. My first year I teamed up with Randy's brother David, who was in first year of theology school, and we rented an apartment together. We would often see Randy and Helen.
I lost touch with Randy when he left Dallas, but he left many good friends down here, and with my Peoria connection we would often talk about Randy and where in the world he may be and what he may be doing. He soared in life, may he rest in peace.
Clark Willingham
November 14, 2011
Randy and I met the first day of law school - we were the only two guys in the room without a coat and tie. We became best friends and I introduced him to the cattle business and commodity trading. The obit captures Randy's zest for life though UNDERSTATES it a bit. He'll be missed AND remembered. Clark & Jane
Kathy Putman Yarbrough
November 13, 2011
I was so sad to learn of Randy's death. I knew him growing up in Peoria, where we were teammates for wonderful summer swimming and diving seasons. Randy was so full of energy - clearly marked for an interesting life! He was a special man, and I am so sorry he has left us. My sympathy and condolences to his children and family.
Dave Naffziger
November 12, 2011
I was very saddened to hear of Randy's passing. We swam together at the YMCA as kids, against each other in the summer at our clubs, and against each other in high school. We remained friends throughout that time. Our families were always good friends starting with our dads as kids.
I also remember his Elvis imitations and he had the Elvis sneer spot-on. Randy introduced me to Robin McCord in 7th grade, and we used to go see Robin every so often. I would dance with Robin, and Randy would dance with her mom. and then Robin would kick my butt in ping pong.
Randy, you will be missed.
Dave Naffziger
Robin Groom
November 11, 2011
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Randy's death. Randy and I first met when we were about 3 or 4 and we were best friends all the way through grade school. We then went to different high schools but remained good friends all the way through college. I have so many fun, wonderful memories of Randy. My fondest memories...hours of playing basketball in his driveway, playing cowboys and Indians, long adventuresome bike rides, watching his Elvis imitations ( which he thought were better than Elvis himself and so did I!) Randy was a great guy who loved life. There will always be a very special place in my heart for Randy and all the great times we had together. My condolences to all of his family.Love, Robin McCord Groom
Jane Naffziger Isaac
November 11, 2011
The Kreiling's were friends of ours from the time Randy's father and our dad went to high school together. Randy and my brother Dave were good swimming buddies (and swimmers ARE the best athletes!!) . He lived quite a life after leaving Peoria. So sad to lose him so early. Our condolences to the family.
Charlie Patterson
November 11, 2011
Played football with Randy for four years at Central. Last saw him in 1975 at the Peoria airport when he was on his way to Geneva. Randy was a true "renassiance man". Very sorry we never had contact after 1975. Life is to short. My deepest sympathy to his family and close friends.
Larry Johnson
November 11, 2011
My condolences to Randy's family and friends. It is truly sad to know that we won't see him again. Randy and I used to have spirited discussions whether swimmers or wrestlers were the best all around conditioned athletes. Our athletic pictures are on facing pages of our senior yearbook. In 1979, while riding a motorcycle around Europe, I stopped to see him in Geneva, but he was taking care of business back in the states.
Now, we won't have an opportunity to continue our debate.
Regards,
Larry Johnson
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