Obituaries

Eleanor Ruth Randall Eleanor Ruth Randall passed away Tuesday night, January 15, 2002. She met her death in peace and passed with dignity and grace.Eleanor (also known as “Red” or “Legs”) was born to Elsie Trimby Randall and Edmund A. Randall in Rochester, New York on September 14, 1917. There followed a life of great interest, warmth and strength. She was motivated to a life of independence, education and service to her country, a woman well ahead of her time.Eleanor attended Northfield Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts, then graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She continued her education at New York University. Eleanor was a proud member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority.Eleanor began her working years at Wallace & Tierman in New Jersey, where she had the honor of being the first woman ever to be hired as a draftsman. Due to family illness she returned to Rochester, where she was, once again, the first female draftsman in her capacity at Eastman Kodak. There she worked with engineers and technicians in Research and Development.Upon moving to California, Eleanor worked for Jet Propulsion Laboratories. Prior to retirement she worked for 11 years as general manager for Western Purifier Company, where she delighted in educating and helping clients from around the world on the subject of clean water. In her careers she garnered much respect and affection.While Eleanor was at Eastman Kodak Co. she was permitted leave when she joined the American Red Cross as a company grade officer. She served for two years in Corsica, Italy, France and Germany during World War II. While there she became quite good at her hobby of amateur photography. Her photos from that era are both beautiful and moving.Upon her return to New York society, Eleanor experienced many of the stresses that affected returning soldiers. She had left the debris of war torn countries, the smell of death and decay, the sight of injured and dying soldiers, images and emotions that would never leave her heart. New York society had become trivial and trite to her, and no one could understand what she had seen and felt.She decided to take a sabbatical and came to Newcoms Ranch in the Angeles National Forest as a bugler for a Girl Scout camp, playing Reveille and Taps. It was there that she met her future husband who was also working with the Girl Scouts, as a horse wrangler, stunningly handsome and exciting. (He was later referred to as the singing cowboy.) They had three children, born 1953 through 1957. Eleanor instilled in them a sense of purpose, value, integrity and independence.She will be missed. Her family is so proud of her spunk, spirit, intelligence and tenacity.Eleanor was preceded in death by her son, Robert Landrum, Airborne Ranger 101st Division at Fort Benning, Georgia, and her brother John Trimby Randall. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Carol and Rick Barringer, and daughter Lynn Johnson. She also leaves six grandchildren, Tyler Johnson, Heather and Caitlin Barringer, Cody Jo Landrum, Cole (Johnson) Carter, and Josh Landrum. She is also survived by nephew Steve Randall, and nephew John Duncan Randall of whom she was especially fond. She had many adventures with Duncan, cross-country trips, Yellowstone National Park, and spending time with him at his homes in Wisconsin and La Cruz de Juanacaxtle, Mexico. Her last trip with Duncan to his home in Mexico was September 2001. She had a wonderful time watching sailboats, and experiencing the Mexican culture including dancing, which delighted her.Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, where she had found a great friend in Mike Brown, the director, who will grace Eleanor and her family by officiating at her graveside service. Closed casket viewing for prayers and “so-longs” will be Thursday, January 24 from 2-8 p.m. at Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, 8th and Santa Paula Streets. Graveside service for a final goodbye will be at Santa Paula Cemetery on Friday, January 25 at 10:30 a.m. She will be in peace next to her son Robert.The family wishes to thank Dr. Gary Deutsch who restored her to health on numerous occasions. We greatly thank Dr. Michael Swartout for his personal and loving care, for understanding and respecting her wishes, especially during her final hours, where his support was essential.