glenn27 64 #1 Posted September 18, 2016 Morning -folks. It is with a heavy heart that I post here about the passing of one of my best friends, and a member here (even though he didn't post much) Randolph Smith of Chester, Va., passed away yesterday. I got the call last night from his SIL. He was a Wheelhorse dealer for years in Appomatox, Va.. He had retired years back from a Ford dealership--but he still kept the Wheelhors'e alive..he surely did. He had a '69 GT14, that is the cleanest/nicvest tractor of that era I have ever seen. He had it @ the Show several years ago. Unfortanately--neither one of us was able to attend this year. I know he is in a better place now--and not in pain. glenn **Admins or Mods--Move this to where it is more appropriate, if so--and Thanks for letting me 'honor' my friend in thoughts for a few minutes. 18 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #2 Posted September 18, 2016 RIP Randolph...you will be missed. Sorry for your loss Glenn. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 10,747 #3 Posted September 18, 2016 Sorry to hear this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
857 horse 2,581 #4 Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) To loose a fellow member ,,,and to loose a fellow Virginia Wheel Horse Gentlemen is a loss surely .... i find my self for a loss of words but,,,knowing rest is much deserved.... RIP Ralph.... Edited September 18, 2016 by 857 horse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,231 #5 Posted September 18, 2016 Losing one of us is never easy...My prayers with him and his family. Thanks for sharing Glenn. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,345 #6 Posted September 18, 2016 I'm sorry for the loss of your friend and our fellow member. Prayers to his family and friends. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,741 #7 Posted September 18, 2016 @glenn27 sorry for the loss of you friend and RS member. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #8 Posted September 18, 2016 I met Randolf at the big show a couple of years back. What a great guy to talk to! Chock full of enthusiasm and loved his Wheel Horses. Had his GT14 there and was very proud of the upgrades he made to it. He and his machine were both class acts. Glad I got to spend some time with him. Always looked for him at later shows just to talk Wheel Horse, never saw him again. He left a genuine positive permanent impression on me. Thanks Randolph. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maxiblue 352 #9 Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) Sorry to hear that friends are some times closer then family I know how it is Edited September 18, 2016 by maxiblue Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,189 #10 Posted September 18, 2016 Very sorry for the loss of your friend. Thoughts and prayers to the Family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glenn27 64 #11 Posted September 18, 2016 He was every bit the 'fount' of knowledge that some of you remember....a meticulous planner/ fixer and innovator--Be it a vacuum cleaner of a Wheel horse tractor. --and a true friend--word was bond--handshake closed a deal--same guy today as three years down the road.... Just don't bring a lot of B/S--'cuz this fella knew enough to check it out and then , politely of course--point out what exactly was wrong. Tell it exactly like it is--- and you know--there is a BIG hole in my life right now....(very sad and melencoly right now) I just talked with him on the phone this past Wednesday after I got finished working out in the yard---I was sitting out in the shade, having a cold beverage, under my storage area, and we talked 45min/25 sec.--solved some World problems/fixed an earthquake or two/ and laughed about some goofy thing on TV news...... I'll leave you folks alone for now--But I promise, in his memory, and if I'm able to--I will be at the show next year, with a BIG sign honoring him, and maybe a tractor of his. Bet on it... glenn 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlwaysLookin80 1,308 #12 Posted September 18, 2016 Prayers with the family Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,809 #13 Posted September 18, 2016 Prayers, sounds like a heck of a guy and good friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,768 #14 Posted September 18, 2016 Wish I had gotten to know him, sound like a wonderful person. My prayers go out to his family. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slim67 2,730 #15 Posted September 19, 2016 My condolences. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WNYPCRepair 1,875 #16 Posted September 19, 2016 My condolences, as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,528 #17 Posted September 19, 2016 Very sorry to hear this. Prayers just went out to the family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,953 #18 Posted September 19, 2016 Condolences from down Florida way. Sorry to hear of your friend. Sounds like a great guy. May your heart heal and your mind be filled with great memories. Take care, Richie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glenn27 64 #19 Posted September 23, 2016 He is 'at rest' now.....It was pretty neat--the family used his GT14 to pull the flatbed trailer, with the casket resting peacefully, down the road to the cemetery. Middle of day--traffic stopped everywhere--everyone looking....Randolph's last ride on his 'favorite.... The first picture is his SIL, unloading it--and the next few are the tractor itself. ** For you 'die-hard' specialists--this was/is a 1969 GT14--first year made. He spent better than 8 years, I re-call working on it. Every piece sanded/blasted/painted several times==hung to dry for several years. Every seal/every bearing is NOS. every bolt is facing the same way. He did a lot of up-fits and improvements that actually made this one better than off the assembly line. I have posted a few pic's from the day, but you would really have to see this 'ride' in person. I think he had it @ one show, when I took him, if I remember right...I'll find some of the actual procession.... He wasn't flashy at all--but he sure knew he hit a 'home run' with this little tractor... glenn 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,809 #20 Posted September 23, 2016 RIP Mr. Smith... The tractor belongs in a museum with a dedication plate made. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glenn27 64 #21 Posted September 24, 2016 A couple more pic's-if you folks will indulge me--for a few minutes. His SIL and I had talked after the funeral about that tractor--and some of his others, but that GT14 specifally--there is a local tractor/ historical truck museum in this area--and we know the man who owns it--so we will see what that goes. I feel like he would have been proud--one W/H gentleman came down from N.J. for the funeral. glenn 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,406 #22 Posted September 26, 2016 Clearly that is a man who enjoyed his life and was loved by his family to give him that kind of send off. Condolences Glenn, on the loss of your friend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glenn27 64 #23 Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) Getting a poster made and final plans under-way to attend the Show, with one of his tractors. Please take a moment and stop by, when you see us... *Talked to Mr. Johnson--and hope to be inside one of the buildings there- glenn Edited June 4, 2017 by glenn27 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #24 Posted June 4, 2017 Would have loved to have known him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,398 #25 Posted June 4, 2017 God bless have fun in the great wheel horse garden in the sky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites