Tulsa World: Slide Show: So long to a sailor

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Slide Show: So long to a sailor
Henryettan lauded for determination, fire

An American flag is presented to Fred and Peggy Randolph during services Wednesday for their son, Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony Michael Randolph, 22, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on July 6. SHERRY BROWN/Tulsa World

By MANNY GAMALLO World Staff Writer
Published: 7/16/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 7/16/2009 6:03 AM

Heroes of Oklahoma: View a memorial to the Oklahomans who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

HENRYETTA — Hundreds of mourners packed the First Baptist Church on Wednesday to pay homage to a fallen sailor from Henryetta who served the country with the same fire and determination that he showed as a youngster.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony Michael Randolph, 22, was killed by a roadside bomb while riding in a convoy in southern Afghanistan on July 6.

Randolph graduated from Henryetta High School in 2005 and joined the Navy the next year. He deployed in March to Afghanistan, where his job was to defuse bombs.

Kenny Speer, Randolph's high school football coach, eulogized the sailor, his voice often cracking with emotion as he spoke.

Speer said he first met Randolph in 1999 when Randolph was just a seventh-grader.

He remembered Randolph often riding his bicycle to the high school so he could work out.

Speer said he remembered remarking to other coaches at the time that he wished the high school's players showed the same fire, determination and drive that Randolph showed.

Randolph was a three-year starter on the football team, where he played tackle. He was also involved in champion-class power lifting.

Speer and Randolph maintained a friendship after Randolph graduated from high school. Speer remembered how he and Randolph sat back and laughed about stories from high school.

Speer brought smiles to the faces of mourners when he told them that Randolph could be stubborn while working out for football.

He recounted a story of how Randolph kept running around the track because he wouldn't say "yes, sir" when Speer asked him whether he had enough.

Randolph, the coach said, finally said "yes, sir," but in Spanish.

Speer told mourners that Randolph also had a serious side when he spoke about the military and his mission.

"He was a born leader," Speer said.

Those who knew Randolph said he was dedicated to serving his country and knew early that he wanted to serve in the military. It was pointed out during the service that Randolph began researching a military career when he was 12.

The Rev. Jim Paslay officiated at the hourlong service. He told friends and family that he last visited with Randolph in December and described him as a "man on a mission. He seemed to understand what he wanted to do."

Paslay said the news of the death overwhelmed him, as it did to much of the community who knew the sailor.

Paslay told mourners he had read the Navy's creed, and three words — honor, courage and commitment — stood out.

"That's what the Navy is all about," Paslay said, "and that's what Tony was all about.

"We should be grateful today as people for having someone like that."

For years, Randolph was stationed at Norfolk, Va. He also attended Navy schools at Panama City and Pensacola, Fla.

He had wanted to become a Navy SEAL, but his eyesight fell short of the stringent qualifications.

Instead, Randolph became a demolitions expert and was classified as an explosives ordnance demolition technician.

Randolph was based at Sigonella, Sicily, when the call came for him to go to Afghanistan.

He was part of a Navy platoon of seven demolition technicians and one officer dispatched from Sigonella to Afghanistan for a six-month tour of duty.

Navy Cmdr. Todd Siddall, who was Randolph's commander overseas, flew from Sigonella this week to attend the funeral.

He told mourners that it was uplifting for him to see the sense of patriotism shown in the Henryetta community, and "you've done a fantastic job raising a great American."

In Italy, Siddall said, Randolph was part of a close-knit unit, and he always performed his duties "without a hitch."

Randolph was buried at the Hillcrest Cemetery at Weleetka with full military honors.

About three dozen sailors and Navy officers, most of them from Tulsa, provided the services at the gravesite as his flag-draped, steel coffin was moved into place.

A bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" as more than 100 mourners stood silently in the scorching heat.

After 21 rifle shots were fired into the air, a bugler played taps.

The flag on his coffin was ceremoniously folded and presented to his parents by Adm. Mike Tillotson of the U.S. Central Command at Tampa, Fla.

Randolph is survived by his parents, Fred and Peggy Randolph of Weleetka; stepbrothers, Robert Kramer of Weleetka and Shawn Kramer of Henryetta; and stepsisters, Susan Mullen of Dallas and Kelly Mullin of Broken Arrow.

Slide Show

To see all of the Tulsa World slide shows, go to tulsaworld.com/photos.

Manny Gamallo 581-8386
manny.gamallo@tulsaworld.com By MANNY GAMALLO World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Fallen sailor honored in Henryetta," which was published on 7/15/2009.

	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (7/15/2009 3:55:45 PM) That's sad to hear, I'm sorry this young man lost his life at war. RIP Does anyone know why a sailor would be inland while being over in Afghanistan?
	Report Comment irishlando, Tulsa (7/15/2009 3:59:10 PM) As a former Marine Infantryman, we had Sailors with us all the time. They are our corpman and tend the wounded. His Mos (job) in the military may have been to defuse bombs.
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (7/15/2009 4:01:12 PM) irishlando Interesting...thank you!
	Report Comment Ayo, T-Town (7/15/2009 4:16:46 PM) It's sad to lose a young life. I hope the Westboro Baptists didn't cause any comotion. I've been told they did show up in Henryetta, and was at a ballgame last night. ??
	Report Comment PT Cruiser, (7/15/2009 4:23:47 PM) When my son died, the patriot guard riders prevented, and I mean prevented any unwanted people anywhere near the family. They are the greatest..... As they told me, they are all combat veterns that now are part of a group of riders that protect the dignity of the fallen and their families.
	Report Comment okierose, Glenpool (7/15/2009 4:36:15 PM) Peace to the family. I wonder if Congress had a moment of silence when they learned of his passing (just like a for a recent entertainer that passed)? Or if the POTUS sent consolenscenses to the family (just like for a recent entertainer that passed)? If so, why didn't it make the news?
	Report Comment justpete, Nowata (7/15/2009 4:37:40 PM) He was probably EOD (explosive ordanance disposal). Lots of squids never get on a ship.
	Report Comment SeaBreeze, Portland (7/15/2009 5:06:56 PM) ~~~This is so sad to read about. Not only for this brave soldier, but for ALL that risked their lives defending our rights; our country, and our freedom. I salute you, gratefully! To the soldiers that have been sent in their places, our graditude and prayers are FOREVER with you. We pray that God will bring you safely home. To the families of these fine soldiers, my prayers are included for you. Keep the faith and prayers going~~~
	Report Comment banjojammin, Rogers (7/15/2009 5:52:16 PM) RIP. Thank you for your service. My prayers are with your family.
	Report Comment Bud Green, No (7/15/2009 6:15:15 PM) RIP, sailor, thank you for your service.
	Report Comment Carl, Henryetta (7/15/2009 6:34:35 PM) From a sailor's dad and Army/Air FOrce veteran - RIP young man, my prayers are with you and your family.
	Report Comment human1, Wonderfor Oklahoma Suburbia (7/15/2009 7:21:13 PM) RIP.
	Report Comment sgtrockmarine, sapulpa (7/15/2009 7:39:15 PM) I went to the services today and to answer a couple of your question. Yes he was EOD he was attached to a Marine unit. Yes the dumb a@@ church(if that what you want to call it) was there they were held back by the Police and PGR and a few other friends. The church was full and a lot was standing. The service told how Tony was liked and loved by his friends, classmates, and many more. The football coach had a very hard time tell the stories form when he first met Tony. It was very hard on him as it was us all. Tony was a Leader as was told by his coach and the Commanding officer that was there and also told about how Tony was a leader and just wouldn't quit. I ask that we all pray for all of our young men and women that are now serving. Let us all keep Tony family in our hearts and let us never forget.
	Report Comment North CA, (7/15/2009 7:52:12 PM) Naval personnel in special forces and with special NECs (jobs) may participate in joint exercises with other branches of the military. My son just left for a WESTPAC deployment.
	Report Comment North CA, (7/15/2009 7:55:27 PM) Hopefully the young man's family finds comfort in his service for his country.
	Report Comment paleface, Ponca City (7/15/2009 9:17:40 PM) SAD...VERY SAD....
	Report Comment Bedazzled, (7/15/2009 9:24:27 PM) Sad and prayers to the family.
	Report Comment R U 4 Real?, BFE (7/15/2009 9:43:55 PM) God bless this young Sailor for the ultimate sacrifice of service that so many will never know and so few will ever have respect for.
	Report Comment O, Tulsa (7/15/2009 10:15:11 PM) PT Cruiser, No requirement in the Patriot Guard Riders to be a combat veteran or veteran at all for that matter. Just a very good group of Americans and the only requirement is to show honor and respect to the fallen, those in uniform, LEO and firefighters. I estimate only about half are veterans. It is not solely the PGR showing up. The Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, Rolling Thunder, Christian Motorcycle Association, AMVETS MC, Vietnam Veterans, Guard Dogs, Leathernecks MC are just a few who appear at the services composing a group that is usually called the Patriot Guard Riders.
	Report Comment Sparkle Plenty, Santa Rosa (7/15/2009 11:14:57 PM) Right on, sluggy. We seem to have forgotten the real meaning of the word "hero".....this young man was one and his family has reason to be so proud. Regards and prayers to the family of this true American Hero.
	Report Comment SoonerDJ, Lisbon, Portugal (7/16/2009 5:27:23 AM) RIP PO2. I'm sure you saved many lives before you gave the ultimate sacrifice. to shed some light on why Navy might be in the sandbox. In addition to the comment above where NEC/Special Forces units get deployed regularily, the Navy initiated a program called Individual Augmentation or IA for short. This is simply to help our fellow Airmen, Marines, and Army soldiers. With us pulling out of Iraq hopefully the number of sailors on shore will drop.
	Report Comment lakebum, (7/16/2009 7:24:33 AM) Me and my family thank his family for his service. God Bless his family
	Report Comment taj1958, Henryetta (7/16/2009 7:39:18 AM) I didn't have the pleasure of meeting or knowing Tony.This young man died for our freedom and and what he believe in.He was our HERO and we are very PROUD him.My prayers are with the family.
	Report Comment SS_Hippy, Tulsa (7/16/2009 8:54:12 AM) This young man is a true hero!
	Report Comment human1, Wonderfor Oklahoma Suburbia (7/16/2009 10:27:25 AM) This is sad. RIP When are we going to bring our young men home?

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