Paul Randleman

Paul was born in Appleton, Minnesota, on December 3, 1934 to Valborg and Merritt Randleman. At age 5, the family moved to a farm near Avon Lake, Iowa. Paul started to school at Sand Ridge School in Avon Lake. They moved to Carlisle and he attended first grade in Carlisle, Iowa. The next move was to Des Moines for second grade at Brooks Elementary, then graduated from East High School.

He worked at Firestone Tire and Rubber from 1953 until 1995 and then started a retirement career at NAPA in 1995. He spent 30 years as a hot air balloon pilot. One of his delights was when he had a first-time rider in his balloon and after landing blessing them with a Balloonist Prayer to be followed by the surprise champagne celebration. Flight and airplanes of all types was his main passion. His first experience of flying was at the age of 11 when he won a ride in the Wonder Bread blimp and flew over the city. He had extensive knowledge of WWII aircraft and spent 25 years attending the big air show, EAA Adventure at Oshkosh. He also loved cars, especially old cars and once owned an antique fire truck which he drove in the Ankeny Parades.

One of his favorite memories to talk about was when he spent time with the three young children on road trips. All there in the back of an El Camino playing together and the loud commotion when the Teddy Bear went out the window and ten miles later deciding he had to turn around and get it.

Paul has one brother, John (deceased in 1995); wife LuAnn; daughter, Patricia Fischer (Brian); son David (Lori); and daughter Sue Oxley (Andy), and one grandchild, Benjamin Oxley.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 30, 2024 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m., and service will take place at 11:30 a.m., with a lunch and fellowship following service.

Donation may be made to the ARL-Animal Rescue League of Iowa or Carlisle Area Historical Society.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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