Walter Charles Randolph, affectionately known as "Turk" and "Randy," passed away on June 4, 2025, at his home in Clermont, Florida, at the age of 83 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Born on January 26, 1942, in Douglas, Georgia, to the late Walter Randolph and Melba Clyde Taylor, Charles was raised with a strong sense of independence and a deep awareness of the world around him. He grew up in Miami, Florida, where he became a standout athlete at Mays High School. A gifted sportsman, he excelled in football, baseball, and especially basketball, earning widespread recognition for his talent and competitive spirit.

At just 18 years old, Charles answered the call to serve his country and joined the U.S. Air Force, marking the beginning of a life committed to leadership, service, and integrity. He was honorably discharged in 1964 as an Airman Second Class.

On October 20, 1962, Charles married Rose Smith, with whom he had three children: Dwayne Eric, Kimberly, and Twanna Michelle Randolph. Later in life, he found love again and married Alice Blango on August 16, 1981. Together, they raised two children, Kaila Chazlyn and Skylar Kyle Randolph.

In 1968, Charles built a long and impactful career at the Ford Motor Company in Boston, Massachusetts, where he started as a picker-packer on the assembly line. Confronting racism and discrimination as a descendant of the Jim Crow South, Charles became an active and vocal leader in the local workers union. His leadership and advocacy for fair treatment did not go unnoticed. Ford recognized his ability to unite and inspire others and offered him a supervisory role, allowing him to influence positive change in employee relations from within management. Charles led management teams in Teterboro, New Jersey, Kansas City, Kansas, and Davenport, Florida. Charles retired from Ford in 2005 after 37 years of dedicated service.

In his younger years, Charles enjoyed playing pool. Outside of work, he was known for his fierce loyalty to his favorite sports teams, the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and for his love of horse racing. He also enjoyed collecting Franklin Mint model cars. A free thinker with a rebellious soul, Charles lived life on his own terms, leaving a legacy of independence, conviction, and strength.

Charles is survived by his beloved wife, Alice; his children Dwayne and wife Sheila, Twanna, Kaila, and Skylar and wife Desyree; his grandchildren Duane Dent Jr., Dajuan Dent, D'Ondre Dent, Chelsea Randolph and Dallas Carter Beck; and his sisters, Ella Vera Randolph Manuel and Melba Chenise Randolph Pompey. He is also remembered fondly by a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Melba Randolph; his daughter, Kimberly Randolph; his siblings, Barbara Nell Randolph Vickers, Johnny Lavon Randolph, Lawrence Carlton Randolph, Marie Francis Randolph, and Roosevelt Randolph.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.