Randolph D. Eley Jr.

Randolph Davis "Randy" Eley Jr., 61, of Pulaski, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

He was born in Petersburg, Va., on Aug. 24, 1946, and grew up in the neighboring community of Colonial Heights. He was a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he studied business and was elected president of the Student Government Association. In 1970, he was appointed by Gov. Linwood Holton to serve as one of five Commonwealth Interns. After completing his year of service in the governor's office in Richmond, he went on to graduate from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in 1974. As a law student, he had the distinction of serving as delegate to the Student Division of the American Bar Association. He was the quintessential trial lawyer, who, donning a hat and toting a briefcase into courtrooms across Virginia and beyond, embodied the gentlemanly qualities of a "country lawyer." No case was too big or too small, and he firmly believed each client deserved equal representation. During the 34 years he practiced law, Randy represented thousands of clients in criminal, civil and domestic litigation. Their continued loyalty is a reflection of both his talent for advocacy and his commitment to his profession. He was a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. He also served as the town attorney for Pulaski for more than eight years.

He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where he served as District lay leader, was a member of the Administrative Board, worked on committees for evangelism and missions, taught Sunday School, and was involved in youth ministry. Among his proudest accomplishments was the building of the Family Life Center. He was also a civic leader who devoted his time to the Friends of the Pulaski Theatre and the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley. Randy was a devoted husband and loving father who valued above all else the time he spent with his family. Among the many blessings in his life are the close friends that have stood by his side. He loved art, travel, tennis, North Carolina barbecue, Virginia peanuts and the Carolina Panthers. He was an earnest student of theology, and was passionate about his religion and his relationship with God. He was predeceased by his youngest son, Brook Davis Eley, and his father, Randolph Davis Eley.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Donia Stevens Eley; his son, Hunter Randolph Eley, and daughter-in-law, Lael Smith Eley, of Santa Monica, Calif.; his grandson, Bowden Hunter Eley; his mother, Mildred Hunter Eley of Colonial Heights, Va.; his sister, Katherine Eley Walton, of Colonial Heights, Va.; his nieces, Kimberly Walton Bosche and Angela Walton Smith, and their families of Roanoke, Va.; and his brother-in-law, James H. Stevens and his wife, Lavelva Bowers Stevens, of Pulaski.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007. at the First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, with the Rev. Hugh Kilgore officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday in the Family Life Center of the First United Methodist Church and at other times in the family home at 746 Prospect Ave., Pulaski. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 135 Fourth St., N.W. Pulaski, VA 24301; Friends of the Pulaski Theatre, P.O. Box 230 Pulaski, VA 24301; or the New River Land Trust, P.O. Box 11057, Blacksburg, VA 24062. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Thomas M. Seagle & Sons, Pulaski.