Joseph "Joe" V. Randall

Joseph “Joe” Verne Randall, 91, of Kokomo, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Kokomo. He was born September 16, 1932, in Kokomo, to Charles Verne and Helen Louise (Godwin) Randall. On November 14, 1952, he married Patricia Whisman, in Kokomo, and she survives. They would have celebrated 71 years of marriage this year.

Joe had many jobs through the years, but his years at The Kokomo Tribune were the best.  After printing thousands of newspapers and working as a pressman for 37 years, Joe retired in 1996. He had many fond recollections of his years there and made many life-long friends. He served as president of his union. He also worked part time in pest control; starting his own business, Randco Pest Control, that he ran for over 20 years. Joe was happiest when he was busy. He also enjoyed buying and selling cars and looking for the “deals”. He loved going to car shows with his family and especially liked the hot rods. Joe was also a sports fan and enjoyed football and basketball. He was particularly fond of IU during the Bobby Knight years.  Anyone who knew Joe also knew he was an Amateur Radio Operator, or K9VIB. He would spend many hours late at night conversing in voice, or Morse Code, with “hams” all over the world from his ham shack. He was a member of the Repeater Club in Kokomo. Joe is now a “silent key” as a respectful reference to Amateur Radio Operators who have passed away. In addition to his many hobbies, Joe also valued giving back to his community. He participated in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters mentoring program. He also volunteered with Compassionate Friends after the loss of his beloved daughter, Laura. Joe graduated from Kokomo High School in 1952. He was a member of the Judson Road Christian Church and a lifelong member of the NRA.

Joe will be sadly missed by his wife of 71 years, Patricia Randall, his daughter, Jo Dee (Charles) McClish, Kokomo; grandchildren, Jenny Tudor, Kokomo, Christy (Chris) Ruch, Carmel, Chuck (Amanda) McClish, Wartburg, Tennessee, Tim McClish, Tempe, Arizona, and Tyler (Mimi) McClish, Kokomo; great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Addy and Oliver McClish, Nicholas Duncan, and Olivia Ruch; and son-in-law, Roger (Glenda) Tudor.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Laura Tudor; and son, Thomas Randall.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Monday, November 13, 2023, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, with Pastor Gary Carpenter officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:30 a.m. to Noon on Monday at the funeral home. Joe had a tender heart for animals. One of his favorite pastimes was feeding and watching the animals from his window.  We are asking that in lieu of flowers, to consider making a contribution in Joe’s memory to the Kokomo Humane Society, or an Animal Rescue group of the donors choosing. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.