Wright Randolph was born to Henry Robert and Minnie May Randolph in the Nubia community (Taylor County), Texas on April 29, 1902 and departed this life in Greenville, Texas February 27, 1987. In June, 1924 he was married to Myrtle Huffman of Amarillo, Texas who preceded him in death March 29, 1964. A year later Wright married Ethel Cogdill in Canoga Park, California, a sister to the beloved Roy Cogdill. Wright is survived by his wife, Ethel, and a daughter, Jeanine Anthony of Pinole, California; two brothers, Layton of Van Nuys, California and Sidney of Vinita, Oklahoma; two sisters, Opal Bockman and Fay Britt both of Wichita Falls, Texas; four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Wright became a Christian at the age of 16 in Nubia, Texas being baptized by W. A. Schultz. Prior to 1931 he preached in various places by appointment and began full-time preaching in Spur, Texas and later preached in Slayton and Floydada, Texas; Clovis and Albuquerque, NM; San Bernardino, Santa Barbara (twice), San Pablo, Montebello and Canoga Park, California; Cincinnati, Ohio; Deming, New Mexico; El Paso, Texas and Lake Isabella, California. Bob Bolton says, "In addition, he was often used throughout the nation in gospel meetings, and as a gospel preacher, he was forceful yet humble, unique yet not peculiar, profound yet simple, and was highly loved and respected by his peers. We might not have always agreed with him, but we never for one moment doubted his conviction and faith in the divine authenticity of 'the Book.' One of his favorite passages, which was cited as his funeral, was Proverbs 23:23, 'Buy the truth and sell it not."'

Robert A. Bolton of Richardson, Texas spoke at the funeral which was conducted at the building of the Southside church, Greenville, Texas on Sunday afternoon, March 1, 1987. Burial was in the Rose Cemetery in Hobart, Oklahoma.

Again Brother Bolton writes, "Brother Randolph believed with all of his heart that he was ready to pass over into the presence of the Lord and made it a point to impress this fact upon all. As I visited with him some 24 hours before he died, I said to him as I prepared to leave: 'Wright, if we never meet again in this fife, I'll see you in heaven.' In his weakened condition, this 84 year old 'soldier of the cross' managed a faint smile and softly answered, 'OK!' He knew he was dying, yet faced his departure with hope."

I (JWC) personally feel it quite an honor and privilege to have been asked by Ethel to submit this report, along with brother Bob Bolton, concerning Wright's life and death. Wright was a Christian. He loved the truth and preached it just as he understood it. What more need be said? He was a good husband, and while I never knew him while his children were growing up, I am sure just as good a father. He was fortunate in that in his life he chose two of the finest ladies I have known as mates. Both Myrtle and Ethel along with Wright, were our dear friends, and we spent many happy and, I believe, profitable hours in their presence. Many hours on the golf course Wright and I have talked about a number of things, but much of the Bible, the church and the Lord. When brother Bolton writes, "We might not have always agreed with him, yet. . . " reminds me of situations I have told many times in succeeding years. In the company with others, people would disagree with brother Randolph on Bible topics, and yet often before long I would hear of their asking Wright what the Bible said on various topics. They respected him as a Christian and as a Bible student. He was a good writer, and the first I knew of him was through his contributions to various papers. You never doubted his faith in God and the Bible as the word of God. Yet he was not afraid to say, "I don't know." I remember on one occasion while eating a snack on the golf course, I ask him about a difficult passage, and he said in effect, "I wish I knew." I have noticed that the greatest Bible students I have ever known often said, "I don't know." That is not a mark of weakness; but a sign of honesty and candor. If one doesn't have these qualities he can never know the Lord.

Our sincere sympathy to Ethel and the rest of the family. May the Lord bless and keep you.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 9, p. 277
May 7, 1987