Raymond Welton Randell, Jr. was born in Ottumwa, IA, on February 18, 1942. He was the son of Raymond & Evelyn (Welton) Randell and grew up in Cedar, IA, with his younger sister, Deonne, and younger brother, Robert. As a kid, Ray enjoyed spending time with his dog, Sue, playing baseball, and riding bikes down the rock roads with his friend, Larry McBurney. He loved to ride his pony, Trigger, and often rode him to deliver water to the detasselers on the farm, which earned him $.35/hr. His childhood was spent working on the farm with his two siblings and attending Cedar School. He had fond memories of Christmas at Grandma Randell’s and the poker games held in the basement with all his cousins. In high school, Ray had success as a 2nd baseman. He also played basketball and was a champion ping-pong player. He graduated from high school in May of 1960 and attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, where he studied biology and sociology. Ray graduated in 1964 and enrolled at Iowa State University, where he enjoyed his studies in Animal Science. He returned home to farm with his family until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965 and was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. Training in the Marine Corps was one of the hardest things Ray ever did, but he made sure to have a little fun on the side. He may have been involved in “borrowing” a jeep to take on a joyride, only to return it to the barracks later without being noticed. But that is a story for another time.
After serving in the Marine Corps, Ray returned to Oskaloosa, where he started his own seed company, Randell Seed. He started the company with only ten customers but grew the business to over 100 in 25 years. His favorite time of year was Christmas; Ray often hosted Christmas dinner for his many customers at the old Stone Henge. He met his future wife, Christina Swanson, and they were married in Oskaloosa on May 24, 1974. They welcomed their son, Charles, in January 1977 and their daughter, Anne, in August 1980. He spent much of his time telling stories and could always make his kids laugh. Ray loved spending time with his children at his mother’s house and often put his kids to work helping out around the farm. Ray never knew a stranger. He could often be found socializing at the bars he owned, the Silver Dollar, Bo Ramseys, and Caesars Place. Ray always took the time to say hello to friends and ensured everyone was having a good time. Ray and Christina divorced in 1989, and Ray moved to Cedar, where he continued to farm and look after his mother, Evelyn. One of Ray’s favorite pastimes was playing cards, and he even had a chance to sit with two World Champion poker players while on a trip to Vegas. Ray won the pot with four deuces; it’s definitely one of his favorite stories to tell. Eventually, his poker playing graduated to many intense games of Old Maid with his three grandsons. These games with “Papa” always involved lots of laughter. Ray moved to the Cedar Rapids area to be closer to his kids and grandchildren. He loved taking his grandsons out for ice cream and watching them play baseball. When asked what his favorite thing about his life was, he answered, “All of it!”
Ray is survived by his son Charlie Randell of Cedar Rapids; daughter Anne (Jeremy) Black; three grandsons: Waker, Holden, and Conrad of Cedar Rapids; brother Robert (Crystal) Randell of Oskaloosa; sister Deonne Nash of Port Byron, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his father and mother, Raymond & Evelyn Randell, and brother-in-law Felton Nash.
Ray asked the family to mention the following people who were especially important to him; Dick Schwab, Danny Bechtel, Weasel, Paula Cox, Jimmy Haines, Ivan Hankins, Engel DeKock, Pam Handling, Duane Huyser & family, Adam Cheney, and special mention to Christina (Swanson) Randell, Joe, Tiffany & Andrew Medina and his Welton and Randell families. Thank you all for the love, support, and laughter throughout the years.
Funeral services for Ray will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Interment will take place at Forest Cemetery with Military Honors presented by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2024, with the family present to greet friends from 4-6 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
