Legendary lawyer John C Randall died on July the 9th at Hock Family Pavilion in Durham North Carolina. He was the son of Harry R and Philadelphia P Randall. Harry Randall had moved from Brooklyn, New York to Raleigh North Carolina to be an insurance agent and semi-professional baseball player for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company. John graduated from Ravenscroft School, Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics and law degree from the University of North Carolina . He is survived by his beloved Son Jason, daughter-in-law Christina, and grandson Reign. In his youth he was a triple Palm Eagle Scout and was elected chief of the Occoneechee Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. In college, he was a member of the student legislature where he served as parliamentarian and the State Student Legislature and National Student Congress. He practiced law in Durham, North Carolina for more than 47 years and handled cases in the fields of personal injury, racial gerrymandering, construction negligence, railroad safety, estate administration, attorneys fees, and perjury. He was the principal draftsman of the Licensure Act for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists and served for many years as counsel to their Board of examiners. He traveled widely to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltics, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Canada, and Central America.

Years ago, when John, my father, first wrote this obituary, he intended the opening line to be tongue-in-cheek. Yet, in the years that followed, I met multiple colleagues who used that exact phrase to describe him. They and others often spoke about his tenacity, how he uncovered legal angles no one else saw, or recalled his brilliant trial performances. John was one of a kind. Who he was—and how he lived—was rooted in a deep passion for the history of how the world came to be as it is and where it was headed. John remained, to his very last days, a dedicated student of the world and human affairs seeking to shape the world through thoughtful correspondence and conversation with academics, politicians, and fellow seekers of knowledge. He could be fearless and did not shy from conflict. I am certain his clients, colleagues, and friends benefited greatly from his nature. No one benefited more than myself.

He was always there when I needed him—even when I didn't realize I did. He was my strongest defender, even when I didn't deserve it. Without hesitation or question, he stood by me.

Whatever else can be said, he was a good father. He wasn't perfect—none of us are—but he was good, and in the end, that was more than enough.

He was also survived by his great friend and longtime companion Jane Crabbe of Elon whose love and friendship greatly enriched his life in his later years.

A celebration of life is being planned, updates to follow here.