Thomas Pritchard Randolph

Thomas P. Randolph, age 68, of Manitowoc, died early Thursday morning, August 2, 2018 at his residence with his loving family at his side.For he's a jolly good fellow! Thomas Pritchard Randolph celebrated his 68th birthday on July 17th with loving family and friends at his home in Manitowoc. He was the son of the late Dr. Robert and Helen (Frieder) Randolph who helped Tom become the man he was. From his mother, Tom learned to have a good heart open to all. From his father, Tom learned that there is no excuse for poor craftsmanship. Anything worth doing, is worth doing the right way.He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri where he graduated high school and went on to earn an associate's degree. After graduation, Tom traveled to Columbia where he flunked at chicken farming before returning to the United States.He returned to his first love of Lac Du Flambeau, WI to live a life on the water where he started his woodworking career, making log carriers and fireplace bellows for L.L.Bean and other fireplace outlets. His bellows are still in use around the country with requests for new bellows coming in every year even though production has LONG stopped. In addition, he worked as a boat mechanic and store manager for Greer's Pier in Manitowish Waters where they still operate under the WWTD directive (What Would Tom Do?). No matter what he was doing he always found time to pursue a lifelong passion of musky fishing with his personal best being a 56-inch lunker. He was well known, not always fondly, on Lake Pokegama for being the last water-skier of the season and could be seen skiing as late as November when ice was forming and snow was falling. He loved the game of golf. He and close friends founded the Slim Whitman Golf Invitational which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. Among his golfing accomplishments, he was a two-time Slim Champion, two-time winner of the Slim Sportsmanship Award, creator and one-time winner of the coveted Boner Award – nuff said.His life on the water led him a few lakes over to Fence Lake Lodge where he met the love of his life and devoted wife, Nancy (Mielcarek) Randolph. They were married August 8th, 1987, and lived in Lac Du Flambeau where their lovely daughter Tessa was born.In 1993, Tom moved his family back to Manitowoc where he started a party rental business making himself a regular and important fixture at many graduation parties, weddings, and special family events. He honed his carpentry skills learned from rebuilding the Randolph family vacation compound in Lac Du Flambeau and continued woodworking projects for private homes, area businesses and making improvements in every corner of Manitowoc county. After selling his tent rental business and retiring part-time from carpentry, he began driving school bus for Brandt Buses until May of this year.He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; his adored daughter, Tessa; his two brothers, Dr. John Randolph and Dr. David (Marjean) Randolph; his four sisters, Barbara Randolph Murphy, Nancy Randolph Greenway, Marjorie (Ned) Hacker, and Melissa (Arun) Handa; and many loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving brother and best friend, James Randolph; his cousins, Jimmy Ziemer and Judy Randolph; and his beloved nephew, Gilbert Greenway III.The question is not what did he do for a living, but rather what didn't he do? Fondly remembered as Mr. Fix It, red dog champion, squirrel out-smarter (birder), a crooner, expert gift guesser, maple syrup-maker, all-around sportsman, famed musky man, Slim Whitman fan, lousy golfer, coiner of "honney maroney", he will be missed for all the days to come.In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alcoholics Anonymous, where Tom was a dedicated sponsor for others, an active member and a district chairman. His AA member cohort started as strangers, developed into friends and comrades and became a family and Fellowship of the Spirit. Donations can be sent to District 3 Treasurer, PO Box 1244 Manitowoc, WI 54221.The photo was taken at the total eclipse last August 21, 2017 in Idaho at Deadwood Reservoir, the perfect location he SCOUTed out to share this inspiring and breathtaking experience with family and friends.A celebration of Tom's life will be held on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the Manitowoc Yacht Club from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Jens Family Funeral Home & Crematory of Manitowoc is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jensreinboldandpfeffer.com

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