Obituary of Vernon Dale Randolph Sr.

Vernon Dale “Gypsy” Randolph Sr., 78, passed away on January 6, 2019 in Rochester, Washington.  He was born April 9, 1940 to Erdice Catherine Randolph in Booneville, Missouri.  He spent the majority of his life in the Grays Harbor area of Aberdeen and Elma, and his final years in Rochester.

Dale attended school through the 9^th grade, and then joined the U.S. Army in April 1958 where he was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany and Fort Lewis, Washington.  He received a good conduct medal and was honorably discharged in March 1961.

In his younger years, Dale raced his Number 3 car at the South Sound Speedway, holding many records for many years.  He spent many weekdays with his good friends, getting his car ready for Saturday race day.  After his racing days, he enjoyed camping on weekends, boating with family, golfing, fishing, and working on his vehicles.  He continued to enjoy racing from his Lazy Boy chair, watching NASCAR.  He loved reading western books, and watching his Seattle Seahawks or a good old western movie.

Dale worked for many years as a truck driver for many different logging and chip outfits in the Grays Harbor area, including Fred B. Moe Trucking, H. Craig Carter Trucking, John Meek Logging, J&M Trucking, Sweatman Trucking, and at Willis Enterprises as a driver and security watchman.  This is how he earned the call sign of “Gypsy.”

Dale married Ila (Palmer) Mckinny on June 22, 1962 in Rochester, Washington.  They had four children, Roxanne Pedersen, Rita Salois, Vernon Randolph Jr., and Tracye Fralick.

Dale married the love of his life, Deborah “Debbie” Jo Chadwell, on October 23, 1980 in Montesano, Washington.  Debbie preceded him in death on June 25, 1999. Dale will be interred with Debbie at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen, Washington.

Dale married Jeanne on July 4, 2000 in Centralia, Washington. They subsequently divorced in 2002, and remained friends until his passing. Stepchild Courtney, her husband Chris, and their children, Madison and Dillan, were a close part of his life.

Dale is survived by his children, Roxanne Pedersen of Tacoma, Rita Salois of Tacoma, Vernon Randolph Jr. and wife Patricia of Olympia., Tracye Fralick and husband Ryan of Rochester; grandchildren, Joshua, Brittany, Zackary, Kaylee, Matthew, and Amanda; great grandchildren, Hailei, Olivia, and Aria; brother, Charles LuAllen of Sedalia, Missouri; sisters, Kay McLaughlin of Marshall, Missouri, Edie Bartel of Marshall, Missouri, and Sharon of Sedalia, Missouri, and JoAnn Waddel of Phoenix, Arizona.

Dale is preceded in death by his mother Erdice; wife, Debbie; sisters, Dot, Marilyn, Jean; and brothers, Henry and Bud.

A Celebration of Life and potluck luncheon will be held in his honor on Sunday, February 3, 2019, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Evergreen Shores Beach Club, 7540 Lakeside St. SW, Olympia, WA 98512.