Necrology

James Edward Randolph, Jr. '69

Dec. 26, 2020

James Edward Randolph, Jr. ’69, who made justice his life’s work, was remembered in The Philadelphia Inquirer as “a passionate defender of racial and juvenile justice.”

“Devoted to inclusion and fairness, especially for young people of color, Mr. Randolph sought out fissures in society and worked to repair them,” Gary Miles wrote in a feature ­obituary. “He traveled the country building bridges between policy and the communities they served, and spent one-on-one time with countless children as if they were his own.”

He concluded his long career with the city of Philadelphia as deputy commissioner of juvenile justice. Randolph, who grew up in Philadelphia, died on Dec. 26, 2020, in his hometown at age 72. He was one of eight children born to James ­Randolph and the former Annie Mae King.

Randolph graduated from Thomas Edison High School and enrolled at ­Hamilton where he made an enduring mark. Miles wrote that Randolph “... sharpened his racial consciousness at Hamilton College, serving as both president and cofounder of the Black Student Union and president of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE), a predominantly white fraternity.”

He majored in history and his extracurricular activities included tutoring as part of a program in nearby Utica. Classmates remember his easy wit. Randolph, who hosted a soul music show on WHCL, was a music lover. In 2019, class annalist Vin Strully ’69 noted that after a Chuck Berry concert on campus, Randolph went backstage to meet the amazing guitarist in the band. “He told Jim that he was moving to London and changing his name to Jimi Hendrix,” Strully wrote.

Randolph’s College memories included creating the Black Student Union, Dunham, the old TKE house, “going on rolls,” and his courses with Professor of History Edwin Lee.

After graduating from Hamilton, ­Randolph earned a master’s degree in ­public administration at Syracuse University, where he received a Mellon Fellowship. He began his career with the city of Philadelphia in 1980, starting in human services, which included anti-poverty work. He eventually became deputy commissioner of juvenile justice services. His published obituary noted that he tried to retire in 2008, but the mayor prevailed on him to remain on the job a bit longer as acting commissioner.

In retirement, Randolph continued to work to make a difference: in outreach and education programs with Catholic Social Services and the Indochinese American Council; with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and as a champion of reform in the minority youth justice system. And he took part in youth-and-law bias training sessions for the ­public and police in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Weeks before his death, he helped get out the vote for the November election.

“Generosity was in his DNA,” the Inquirer obituary said, “and his son Jim Randolph learned only after his death that Mr. Randolph bought Christmas presents one year for a coworker’s entire family.”

Randolph stayed active with his alma mater and alumni friends as well. He was part of his 45th reunion committee, he organized a TKE reunion in Philadelphia, and he participated in a panel discussion with Trustee Drew Days ’63 about juvenile justice innovations.

Most of all, the obituary said, ­Randolph enjoyed being with his family, serving as father and mentor to his son and daughter. With the wider family, he’d share corny jokes and take his nieces and nephews to watch the Phillies.

Survivors include his wife, Cecilia Edwards-Randolph, children, siblings, two grandchildren, and a stepdaughter, among other relatives.

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