Woody Gene Randolph
In loving memory of Woody Gene Randolph.
Woody was born in El Cajon, California, on August 13, 1956 to Donald and Barbara Albert. He was the oldest of their four children, Woody, Loretta, Duane, and Pam.
He spent his childhood living in El Cajon until his family relocated to Huntington Beach.
Woody took accordion lessons as a child and continued his appreciation for accordion music throughout his life.
He attended Fountain Valley High School. After graduating, he had a wide variety of interests including rock climbing, fishing, boating, SCUBA diving, RC plane flying, speed ice skating, motorcycling, cooking, and country music.
Cupid aimed his arrow at Woody when in March of 1977 he met and fell in love with Deborah DiBenedetto. So sure of their love for each other, they were engaged by April and tied the knot two months later.
Woody worked for Rockview Dairy at their plant in Downey but left Rockview to join G & H Appliance Repair, Deborah’s parents’ Guido & Helen’s family business.
Two years later Woody and Deborah were blessed with twin daughters Natalie and Nicole, the joy of his life. He became “Daddy” and then “Duder”, as his girls lovingly called him.
The family moved from Westminster to a 1 ¼ acre property in Menifee in 1984, where Woody was a volunteer firefighter. A few years later they moved back to Fountain Valley where their twin girls eventually attended Fountain Valley High School as well.
Woody walked his daughter Natalie down the aisle and into the arms of son-in-law Mark Pashby and then Nicole into the arms of son-in-law Thomas Watson. Both, he loved as his own sons.
2015 was to be a year of agony and of great joy. In January, Woody was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He had surgery to remove the tumor. Things started to brighten-up, but nothing could compare to his glory when on May 21st, Natalie and Mark blessed him with a granddaughter, Amelia Rose. She was truly the light of his life. Woody was now “Papa.”
Woody remained cancer free until September, 2016, when it returned. But even this devastating news couldn’t keep him down. He continued to work, enjoy his love for cooking & especially being ‘Papa.”
In spite of his valiant battle with cancer, Woody succumbed to his illness on April 13, 2018.
Woody touched so many people throughout his life and will always be kept in their hearts. But, one day you will meet him again, sitting there peacefully, by a fishing hole in Heaven. And there, he will greet you with a twinkle in his eye and a smirk on his face. He will extend a firm handshake and say to you, “What can I tell ya?”
Memorial Tribute Video Link: https://youtu.be/fIooe5mtDMg
Entrusted to the care of Cremation Society of Orange Coast (800) 678-0669
20 Comments
Duder, I miss you so much. <3
The hardest part will be living without you. <3
I will always cherish our memories and keep my older brother, Woody, close to my heart.
As my big brother I have always looked up to you. You have always been a great example of how to love life. I will miss our Sunday NASCAR banter! You are missed by many and have touched so many peoples lives. Forever in my heart, love your baby sister!
I will miss my picture texts of your famous cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes and fresh baked breads. I will miss trading cooking secrets, but most of all, I will simply miss you.
Until we meet again, keep the oven on and the kitchen ready for us to bake some amazing, or should I say heavenly, desserts.
I will miss my picture texts of your famous cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes and fresh baked breads. I will miss trading cooking secrets, but most of all, I will simply miss you.
Until we meet again, keep the oven on and the kitchen ready for us to bake some amazing, or should I say heavenly, desserts.
Our family was lucky to have met you these few times in the last decade and wholeheartedly celebrate your life. You were such a bright light/presence in the room, and knowing such a man who cared about the feelings of others with sincerity and brevity….tis a great loss to us all. However, you made such an impact to your neighborhood, friends, and family, that I am sure many of us would want to remember you as a great example of: what it is to be a man, father, lover, friend, and compassionate being.
Our family was lucky to have met you these few times in the last decade and wholeheartedly celebrate your life. You were such a bright light/presence in the room, and knowing such a man who cared about the feelings of others with sincerity and brevity….tis a great loss to us all. However, you made such an impact to your neighborhood, friends, and family, that I am sure many of us would want to remember you as a great example of: what it is to be a man, father, lover, friend, and compassionate being.
I am so sadden by the news. I lived next door to the DiBenedetto’s on Daisy Avenue and spent a good part of my childhood with Woody and Deborah. i will always remember the fun times camping at Lake Perris with them even though I “jack knifed” Woody’s boat trailer. He didn’t get mad and just shrugged it off. Years after I moved, I would run into him around Fountain Valley and we would chat and catch up on life as if it were yesterday. Such a wonderful guy. R.I.P friend.
Your daughters are a testament to your love of life. My deepest condolences Nicole.
My thoughts and prayers to you both Natalie and Nicole in the loss of your father, to Deborah in the loss of your husband, and to the family. I have such fond memories of Woody at family holiday dinners when I was a kid. He had such a great sense of humor, joking and laughing with us just being silly. He was such a gift. Much love to all of you in this time of loss. May God bring you peace, comfort, and healing.
Uncle Woody,
Time goes by to fast. We miss you so much. Carmel corn and cinnamon rolls will never taste the same. Christmas will never be the same without the best Santa ever. Larry’s fishing trips will always be missing the key component. But with all that sadness we find happiness in all the memories we have with you. And one day we will be hanging out again, on the couch, watching cops. We love you so much.
A man larger than life. In the short few years I got to know him, I saw a man ready to take on the world. He was always filled with such love for his family and friends it’s hard to imagine he could keep it contained. I feel blessed to have gotten to know him. My condolences to his family and friends.
The world lost a wonderful husband, father, father inlaw, Papa and friend that will be dearly missed. RIP Woody.
Love, Rudy and Ginny
My heart & soul ache for you every moment of the day. My bed is so lonely without you next to me at night. You will always be the love of my life. You will remain with me in spirit until our souls are together again. I love you my dearest husband.
My husband Bob & I moved into our first house in Westminster in March of 1979. Our new neighbors, lucky for us, were Woody & Debbie (or Debra /Deb), as he would always refer to her. We soon became fast friends with lots in common. Both married in 1977 and expecting our first children three weeks apart, we were all anxious for what lied ahead. The following years would be busy ones, raising kids, working hard, family time, sports, hobbies and all of life’s greatest treasures. When we think of Woody, we think a huge heart with a gentle spirit. There is nothing he couldn’t do or wouldn’t do for others! He made time for everyone. He loved his family above all and they were always his priority. He truly was a one of a kind, and for sure never had an enemy. We will miss him dearly and remember him always.
We were blessed to meet Woody and Debbie through the Chapter Q motorcycle group many years ago. Enjoying trips on land and sea which included Alaska and the Eastern Fall Colors, thanks to Debbie and Woody. Many good memories we have. Woody was not only a great husband, father and Papa, he was a great appliance repair guy and Chapter Educator. Seems whatever he put his mind to, he did it to the best of his ability spending hours with research. Forgot to add Chef extraordinaire he would post pictures of his food and you would think it was from the Food Network! – cinnamon rolls looked so delicious! He was always ready to help with a smile and I can hear him saying “everything like that!” and “what can I tell ya!” We will miss him!
Woody aka “the Woodster” will be missed. A caring individual who always took time to listen and share. As a friend and past co-worker I will remember Woody in the fondest of light. There was this time when Woody let me drive his Gold Wing in the parking lot at CompUSA. I took it to the end of the parking lot and nearly wiped out not prepared for the amount of counter-steering required. I never let on at the time so he’s finally finding out about it now. It was just the kind of sharing and open person Woody was. Godspeed Woody..
Woody will be missed by so many! I remember him in one of my classes at Fountain Valley High School,
Later he came to our house off and on when one of our appliances needed work, Woody would always bring a little thing for our dogs to eat and they were always overjoyed when he came to our house.
Well think of him a lot.
I am so sorry to hear of Woody’s passing. I only know now because I was looking for his number today to come and fix an appliance, yet again.
We met in 1997 when we moved back to Orange County. I had seen his ad on the church bulletin and he had been our appliance guy ever since. He was honest, funny, had integrity, and a funny stories to tell. We talked about many things during his visits to fix just about every appliance in the house. For Woody’s kids, he was very, very, very proud of you in every way. He glowed talking about his you and his grand daughter. Deborah . He loved his fur babies and you. Was happy with the life you built together. I will miss his warm manner and skilleo’s with fixing things and giving sage advice. They don’t make them like Woody anymore. Til we meet again Woody.