Edward Bartlett Randolph

Edward Bartlett Randolph (“Barry”)
February 7, 1947-November 6, 2026

Edward Bartlett Randolph, known to most as “Barry,” passed away on November 6, 2026, in Orange, Texas. He was born on February 7, 1947, in Phoenix, Arizona, the first-born child of Don William Randolph and Bertie Pauline Bilbrey Randolph. Because his father served in the U.S. Navy, Barry spent his early years in various locations across the Continental U.S. and Hawai'i until his family finally settled in Orange, Texas in the 1950’s.

At just 11 years old, Barry fell head-over-heels in love with classmate Linda Carol Cox, who would become his best friend, soulmate, and the love of his life. Barry and Linda both graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in Orange, Texas in 1964.

Immediately after graduation, Barry enlisted in the U.S. Army–volunteering for combat service in Vietnam. Although he was not deployed overseas, he served stateside at the Presidio military base in San Francisco, California from 1964 through 1967. While in the U.S Army, Barry served as a Nike Launcher System Repairman (nuclear weapons program) and held a Top-Secret security clearance. Barry was also bestowed with the distinct honor of serving as an Honor Guard in San Francisco–escorting the bodies of fallen soldiers arriving from Vietnam back onto U.S. soil and rendering final military honors at countless funerals.

His military years also brought personal heartbreak and challenges. Barry’s childhood best friend, Alfred Evans, was killed in combat early in Barry’s military career. Barry was also involved in tense military actions defending against base perimeter breaches by rioters and anti-war protesters in the height of the civil unrest in San Francisco at that time.

On December 4, 1965, Barry and Linda married at First Baptist Church in downtown Orange, Texas and made their home in San Francisco. In 1967, their first-born child, Christina, whom Barry affectionately called “T-Bear,” was born in San Francisco. After his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army, Barry and Linda returned to Orange, Texas, where Barry worked as a meter reader for Gulf States Utilities. His second child, Angella (“Angie”), was born on his birthday in 1971.

Barry subsequently hired on as a plant operator for the B.F. Goodrich chemical plant in Orange, Texas and moved his family to Bridge City. Barry retired from the plant, which was known as the Lanxess plant at the time of his retirement, after more than 30 years of service. He developed many close and lifelong friendships while working at the plant.

Barry had an interesting and active life. He and Linda both raced motocross in the 1970’s on Pleasure Island. Barry was involved in the Port Arthur custom van club and hand-built a custom van from a bare cargo van shell. He also enjoyed building radio-controlled airplanes. In his “spare time,” he even custom-designed and built new homes on Rebecca Lane in Bridge City.

In 1977, Barry and Linda became the parents of 2 more children–identical twin boys, Aaron and Daron. Barry affectionately called Aaron “AC” and Daron “Mikey.”

In 2002, Linda was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. For the next 10 years, Barry lovingly and selflessly devoted himself to her care, enabling her to far surpass her life expectancy. Following her death in 2012, he distracted himself from the grief of losing her by cleaning veterans’ headstones in Evergreen Cemetery in Orange, Texas. He also tirelessly assisted his neighbors and friends with various maintenance tasks and did other volunteer work.

Barry quietly devoted his life to helping others. He was hardworking, dependable, humble, and incredibly giving and kind–never expecting acknowledgment or anything in return. He made a difference in the lives of those around him and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Barry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Carol Cox Randolph; his parents Don William Randolph and Bertie Pauline Bilbrey Randolph; his sister, Deidra Randolph; his father-in-law, Leonard Bethrow Cox and mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Shannon Cox; his brother-in-law, Tony McMillan, his sister-in-law, Norma McMillan Freshour; and, his brother-in-law, Glen Cox.

He is survived by his children, Christina Randolph Pickard and her husband, Donnie Pickard, Angella (“Angie”) Randolph Soileau, Aaron Randolph, and Daron Randolph; his grandchildren, Savannah Soileau Stroder and her husband, Adam Stroder, Jordon “Hunter” Pickard and his wife, Nicole Pickard, Lauren Pickard Royal and her husband, Justin Royal, Ethan Randolph and his wife Jessica Randolph, Austin Davis and Kennedy Pickard; and his great-grandchildren, Aura Stroder, Maverick Royal, Sophie Stroder, Logan Pickard, Levi Royal, Aubrey Pickard, Aiden Stroder, Remington “Remi” Davis and Callen Buchholtz.

He is also survived by his sister, Donna Black and her husband Steve, brother, David Randolph and his wife June, brother-in-law Ted Cox and his wife Theresa, and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Barry’s children have chosen to celebrate his life on Friday, December 4, 2026–the day that would have been their parents’ 61st wedding anniversary, and the day of the year which Barry held most dear. His Celebration of Life will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home, 504 N. 5th Street in downtown Orange, Texas, with visitation immediately preceding the service from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Barry’s honor to the Home for Heroes Veterans’ Homeless Shelter in Vinton, Louisiana–a charity which Barry greatly admired.

The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Stonewood Hospice and Golden Years Assisted Living Center in Orange, Texas for their kind and compassionate care of Barry during his final days.