Joe Robert Randel

December 13, 1919 - January 31, 2016

Joe Robert Randel, age 96, died January 31st. He was born December 13, 1919 in Bennett, MO, son of the late William R. Randel and Daphne Davis Randel. His family moved to Arkansas when he was three and eventually settled in Rison, AR. After graduating from high school he attended Arkansas A&M for two years before being called to active duty in World War II. He served in the U.S. Army Coastal Artillery and later in the U.S. Army Air Corps 454 Bombardment Group and saw active duty in the Aleutian Islands, Africa, and Europe. In 1943 he married Margaret M. Radford. In 1946, following his military discharge he and Margaret moved to Hot Springs and he began a 36-year career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. Joe was predeceased by his parents, wife Margaret M. Radford Randel; daughter Mary Sue Lindsey; brother and sister-in-law, George M. and Mabel G. Brown Randel; brother and sister-in-law Jesse G. and Dorothy Ann Mullikan Randel; brother Leonard E. Randel; brother Charles Lindy Randel; grandson Ronald Wayne Merriam. Surviving are sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Richard Blauvelt, Ft Wayne, IN; sister-in-law Charlotte L. Cobb Randel, Maumelle, AR; daughter and son-in-law, Margaret Jo Boyette and Alan Temple, Barstow, CA; son and daughter-in-law William R. and Kathy L. McCully Randel, Hot Springs, AR; Grandchildren Carlton Ray Merriam Jr., Kathryn L. Anderson (Andy), Celina, TX, Robert Owen Merriam, McKinney, TX, Sarah Generes, Northbrook, IL, Joe R. Randel, Austin, TX and great-grandchildren Erika, Drew, and Lexi Patterson: Madeline Louise , and Lillianne Margaret Generes; and numerous nephews and nieces. Joe was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Family and friends enjoyed listening to his many stories detailing a rich and wonderful life. He was a member of Oaklawn United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Friday, February 5th, 9:00 a.m. at Oaklawn United Methodist Church with the service to follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery with full military honors by VFW Post 2278 and United States Air Force. Pallbearers are Alan Atkins, Joe Bonnette, Randy Burroughs, Bill Glisson, Gary Jackson, Steve Kemp, and Mike Taylor. The family wishes to thank the staff of Crown Trace Villa and Arkansas Hospice for the loving care they provided Joe. Memorials may be made to Oaklawn United Methodist Church, Arkansas Hospice or Jackson House.