Lolas Randolph, 84, of Salem, NH passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 10, 2015 in his home. Those closest to him would describe him best as a “swashbuckling nerd”; a great thinker that never shied away from the next adventure. “Randy” to his friends and “Tommy” to his family, he was born on August 15, 1931 in east Texas, the son of the late Wilburn and Lettie (Ponder) Randolph. He grew up in Texas, but resided in several towns across Texas, California, Arkansas, and Georgia before his recent move to Salem. Randy served in the United States Air Force, during which time he fell in love with the Isle of Bermuda, where he resided for the majority of his military service. A University of Texas graduate and avid tinkerer, his lifetime career was as a computer engineer with Douglas Aircraft, now Boeing. He was also an avid sports car racer and was a member of the SCCA, earning the 1962 Pacific Coast championship in his ’58 Austin Healey. He also had a passion for flying and was an airplane pilot, preferring “home built” and high performance aircraft to those available "off the shelf". One of his great joys was traveling the highways of America, gaining new experiences. He would often accompany his son, Michael on business road trips, logging over 50,000 miles around the southeast and midwest. Randy will be truly remembered as a man who lived and died at his own pace and on his own terms.
He is survived by his twin sons, Michael Randolph of Salem, NH and Patrick Randolph of San Tan Valley, AZ; two sisters, Lois Robison and Dorothy Deen; and two grandchildren, Austin Randolph and Mollie Randolph. He also leaves behind his beloved companion and girlfriend, Doris Smith, as well as Michael’s girlfriend Melissa Rau and her daughters Kylie and Meagan, all of whom spent his final months by his side.
Following cremation, services will be held by the family at a later date in Huntsville, Texas. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Community Hospices of America Foundation at www.chafoundation.org/contributeonline.