John Dean Randles was born September 13, 1925, to John Howard and Edith May (Pierce) Randles. He was born on the homestead, in his parents’ home, which was also the post office of Hardesty, Oklahoma, and operated by his parents. He died at the age of 99 on May 5, 2025, at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas.
During his senior year, his father died from complications of an electrical shock that occurred when he passed under a supposedly dead telephone line. Dean became the operator of the family farm until his retirement.
In 1945, Dean and Melvin Wooldridge dug the basement for the present Hardesty Community Church, formerly Apostolic Faith Church. He also helped build churches at Midway, Longdale, and Canton, Oklahoma. He was converted in 1948 and was a member of the Hardesty Apostolic Faith Church. He also helped with the construction of Hardesty Apostolic Faith Fellowship Hall.
In 1946, Dean met and dated Doris Hays of Guymon, Oklahoma. They were married on January 1, 1947, in Clayton, New Mexico. This union was blessed with three children: John Howard, Bobby Dean and Jerrilyn Kay. These children blessed him with four grandchildren: Marty Randles, Dustin Randles, Amy (Wes) Rawle, and Paige (Bobby) Tyler. He also has eight great-grandchildren: Kelsie (Wes) Quintana, Connor Randles, Tyler (Kayleigh) Cates, Trey Cates, Taylor Beckwith, Madison Tyler, Dylan Tyler, and Logan Tyler; two great-great grandchildren: Luke & Aubry Cates. Dean enjoyed his grandchildren as they grew up and participated in civic, church, and school activities.
He served on the board of the Apostolic Faith Church for 12 years. He was chosen Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Hardesty Future Farmers of America and was awarded the Outstanding Co-operator from the Texas County Conservation District. Positions held with other organizations: President of the Hardesty ISD, PTA, and President of the Hardesty Alumni.
In 1963, he was elected to the board of trustees of the Tri-County Electric Co-op. He served on this board for 25 years and served one term as president. He also served as president of the High Plains Generating and Transmission Co-op.
In 1977, Dean and Doris built a cabin at Cuchara, Colorado. They enjoyed this cabin in the summers for 15 years. They lived full time in Cuchara the last five years they owned the cabin. While living in Cuchara, he started a Community Gospel Singing in Cuchara, Colorado.
In 1994, Dean and Doris moved to Canton, Oklahoma, to be near the lake where Dean enjoyed fishing. After moving to Canton, they traveled the Northeast and into Canada. They made two trips to the Northeast tracing their ancestors. They lived near Canton until 2004, and then bought their home in Enid, Oklahoma. While living in Canton, they attended the Christian Church. He founded the Community Gospel Singing as well as helping to build the Longdale, Oklahoma. Church. After moving to Enid, they attended the First Assembly of God Church.
After leaving Enid in May of 2015, Dean and Doris moved to Liberal, Kansas. After Doris’s passing in 2019, Dean relocated to Pioneer Manor Nursing Facility in Hugoton, Kansas.
Dean was preceded in death by his wife, parents, five sisters and one brother.
Survivors include: three children: John Randles of Watonga, Oklahoma., Bob Randles and wife, Debby, of Locust Grove, Oklahoma, Kay (Randles) Beckwith and husband, Kirby, of Hardesty Oklahoma; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.
Memorial Services will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Hardesty Community Church, 221 Crawford Street, Hardesty, Oklahoma
Memorial donations may be made to a Charity of choice. Memorials may be sent to Hornung Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2nd, Liberal, Kansas 67901.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hornungfuneralhome.com
