David Charles Randell

Life’s Journey

To plant a seed in one’s heart…to root it in love…

To nourish it with time spent together…

Yields a blossom that will flourish forever.

David Charles Randell, Sr. was born on October 14, 1946, in Jacksonville, Texas, to his parents, D.C. Randell and Linger Nell Nettles Randell.  He was the first born in the family.  He was raised surrounded by his brothers, Michael, Robert, Norman, and his sister, Eary Jane.  As a child, he spent a lot of time in the kitchen with his Big Mama, cultivating his culinary skills.  The family fondly remembers when David was nine years old, he rode a mule from Big Mamas house in Jacksonville, Texas to the downtown area and back which was approximately twelve miles.  He tried to convince Michael to go with him and he said, “no way.”

The family eventually relocated to Denver, Colorado, where David graduated from Manual High School.  He furthered his education by completing business courses in Denver.  On March 24, 1974, David enlisted in the United States Army Reserve.  He was stationed at Fort Gordon in Georgia.  He served with honor and distinction and was honorably discharged.

On April 16, 1966, David wed, Violet Jean Duran.  They first met when they both were in school together.  On June 14, 1986, he married, Shonna L. Richardson in Las Vegas, Nevada.   This was now a blended family with four children, David, Jr., Troy, Lin, and Toia. He loved going on road trips and fishing together.  He was later blessed with twelve grandchildren Kent, Dashawn, LaToya, Angelo, Adrianna, Shaquilla, Destiny, Jerrel, Fabulous, Christopher, Ariana, and Tilisha who all were an additional source of joy and pride in his life, they lovingly called him “Dad or Papa” and fondly remember all the happy and precious moments they shared together.  Kent, Dashawn, Destiny, and Jerrel were raised by David, who was more like a father than a grandfather.  The love shared was unconditional and never ending.  

By profession, David was employed by RTD as a Driver.  He was hard-working, dedicated, and performed his duties with a spirit of excellence.   He had made many life-long friends while working.  

David was a fun-loving man, who enjoyed life and those he encircled.  In his free time, he enjoyed cooking, fishing, visiting the “Hills”, traveling, playing dominoes, and watching the Denver Broncos Football team.  His closest friends, Frank Evans, and Mac McGowen will miss the many comraderies they shared together and the fact that he was a true and trusted friend.  They will also miss his compassion, and his willingness to help others.  He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful man.  To know David was to love him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, D.C. and Linger Randell; siblings, Norman Kent Randell, Robert Don Randell, Eary Jane Nelson; a daughter, Linger Nell Randell; and his former wife, Violet Jean Randell.

David Charles Randell Sr. departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on January 26, 2024, in Denver, Colorado.  Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his wife, Shonna Henderson Randell; 2 sons, David C. Randell, Jr. and Troy C. Henderson; 1 daughter, Toia R. (Lee) Davis; 1 brother, Reverend Michael (Denise) Randell; 12 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.