Tyler County News - Breakout

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By Chris Edwards
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Alonzo Randolph holds up a medal given to him to commemorate his service in the Burma campaign in WWII. Receiving the medal was an emotional moment for the combat veteran, who received it on his 102nd birthday. CHRIS EDWARDS | TCB FILE PHOTOWOODVILLE – One of “The Greatest Generation” and a longtime Tyler County resident has died.

Alonzo Herbert Randolph, who celebrated his 103rd birthday in February, died last Thursday.

Randolph, who lived in Colmesneil, was a World War II Army combat veteran. He served in the Army as a Staff Sergeant and was a combat engineer who served in the China-Burma-India Theater.

Randolph, in recent years, received commendations from the county, state and federal government for his service. He was also honored at the 79th annual Dogwood Festival last year, as the parade marshal for the Queen’s Weekend parade.

Last year, for his 102nd birthday, the county’s veterans’ service office hosted a birthday party for him, and he was presented with a medal that honored his work in helping to build the Burma Road from India to China.

The Burma Road campaign was key in helping China resist Japanese invasion, as it was essential in getting supplies to the country.

Jose Narvaez, a Marine Corps veteran who volunteers his time to give elderly veterans birthday parties, presented Randolph with the medal.

Narvaez said that when he first met Randolph, he was amazed at what he told him, about his service, as he’d not met many veterans who’d been a part of the Burma campaign. When he presented Randolph with the medal, the birthday celebrant was visibly moved and said he had been looking for, and waiting to receive, such a medal for more than 60 years.

Randolph was a Florida native who, after the war, settled down as a cattle rancher. Randolph, according to his obituary, worked, and was an independent-minded man since he was 12 years of age, and became a skilled automotive professional.

He and his wife Rosemary owned and operated the Randolph Ranch in Colmesneil, and according to his obituary, he was a skilled outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time among nature, and sharing his knowledge with his family and friends.

Anecdotally, many who encountered the tall, strapping centenarian, who appeared decades younger than he actually was, would not have guessed him to be anywhere near 100 years of age. He was soft-spoken, friendly and according to Tina Cleberg, who serves as the county’s veterans’ service officer, “just a great guy.”

Rep. Brian Babin, who was present at Randolph’s 100th birthday, in February of 2020, when he was honored at the Tyler County Courthouse, said that it is a great privilege to represent and American hero like Randolph in Congress.

Randolph is survived by his wife, Rosemary, his three children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at the Randolph Ranch, located at 2601 North Wheeler in Colmesneil. Services will be conducted under the direction of Coleman’s Family Mortuary, of Woodville.

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Members of the Tyler County Republican Women group Photo courtesy of Wilda Barton

From Staff Reports

WOODVILLE – Tamara Barrett gave A presentation on the United States Constitution, titled “The Relevance of the Constitution Today” at the monthly meeting of the Tyler County Republican Women last Thursday at Magnolia Bar and Grill.

Barrett, an attorney and TCRW member, has given presentations on the topic of the Constitution to various civic and political groups.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation provides copies of the Constitution for anyone, and TCRW has made it a goal for everyone in Tyler County to own a copy.

The group meets on the second Thursday of each month at Magnolia Bar and Grill in Woodville at 6 p.m., however, for anyone interested, they can come and enjoy a meal and fellowship early at 5 p.m. prior to the business meeting.

For those interested in contacting the club to join, or for any additional information, contact Wilda Barton, either by phone at 940-597-9433 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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By Chuck Davidson

CHESTER – For Monday evening’s meeting of the Chester ISD Board of Trustees, five of the seven board members plus superintendent Dr. Paul Drake and two staff members met in the board room and after calling the meeting to order, president Bryan Martin asked for the invocation followed by the pledges.

One community member spoke thanking the board for allowing the Chester Lions to hold their annual scholarship fundraiser on Sat., May 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Chester ISD Cafeteria.

Business manager Austin Odom stated that the safety and security audit had been done and that all revenues and expenditures were up to date in their packets.  No one had any questions thus principal Kym Capps mentioned that attendance was holding at 95.3% and current enrollment is 209.

Drake commented on recent track meet and golf tournament positive results and expects both the Yellowjacket and Lady Jacket baseball and softball teams to qualify for UIL play-offs.

He did, in detail, talk about the need for a distance learning Spanish program and hopes to work with Region 5 to offer one next year.

Several action items were approved on Monday evening’s agenda:  1) The district agreed to the recommendation from the SHAC team to set up a Narcan policy which will involve the nurse and some staff in training this summer. 2) accepted the recommendation from Drake that the district approve Cox Jones as the bond’s manager-at-risk after a good overview of the four bids. 3) Agreed to scheduling a special board meeting on May 8th at 2pm to canvas the results of the May 6 election.

An executive session began at 6:34 p.m. and ended at 7:06 p.m. with no action taken.

The next regular meeting of the board is set for May 15 at 6 p.m.

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By Mollie LaSalle
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COLMESNEIL – Colmesneil City Council held their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday and were given a presentation by Lesley Waxman about the progress of the CDBG grant that they were approved for.

Waxman went over three sections of the process for grant # CDV21-0272.

The first part dealt with adopting civil rights and policies, part two was the authorization of signatories, part three dealt with requirements by the Texas Department of Agriculture, regarding the water and street improvements.

Waxman explained, “these are all the policies you have to adapt for every grant; the normal things you commit to, citizen participation plan, grievance procedures, fair housing code of conduct, etc. Any time you accept money from the government, you have to follow their rules.” She added, “when you have a bid project, you want to get the most bang for your buck. We are here to work for you. We would like for this process to move quickly.”

Council then voted to authorize signatories for the grant signage; Mayor Crews and Wendy Bendy are the two authorized signers. Council suggested adding Bubba Sheffield as a signatory, and he was approved. It was also mentioned that the new truck, which was purchased last October has been in the shop off and on for a month. Weaver Brothers informed Bendy that they would try to find the city another vehicle to replace that one.

All reports from the previous month were approved in short order, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Colmesneil City Council meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.