John Wayne Randle was born on July 4, 1949, to Gordon and Marvella Randle in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from Byers High School in 1967. He married JoLane (Karst) Simmer on February 24, 1992. John had three sisters, Ellen Rolo, Elaine Shanks, and
Eileen Rolo; two stepchildren, Rod Simmer and Kendra Sexe; four grandchildren, Trevor and Collin Simmer and MacKenzie and Lucas Sexe; one great‐grandchild, Logan Simmer; and several nieces and nephews.

In 1980, John started his career at the Kansas Power and Light Jeffrey Energy Center as an auxiliary equipment operator and later became a Journeyman Mechanical Maintenance Technician. In 1990, he completed his EMR certification and, in 1992, joined the High Angle/Confined Space Rescue Team. In 2002, he completed his Firefighter I training and was an active member of the Kansas Emergency Medical Services Association.

Fire Chief Phil Stultz stated, “John was a courageous man that was committed to family, friends, and service to his community. John was a trusted man by all that knew him, a phenomenal character trait garnered through hard work and education. He would also be the first to help anyone that needed a favor or give a steady shoulder to lean on during their troubled times, but John was also an avid, profound secret prankster. Tim Flanary, a dear friend of John’s was the last fireman to experience John’s antics. John saw someone’s bunker pants hanging from the washer; he asked me whose they were. I told him I believed they were Tim’s. When I returned from the restroom, I noticed they were now hanging from his locker and not laying on the washer as before. The shoulder straps had been short jacked, and the inner liner of the pants were put on backwards. This was not a rare incident for John to task after hearing of many similar pranks. John was an extraordinary man who paid it forward, a hero in my eyes, someone I will always remember and pattern my life going forward.”

Assistant Fire Chief Tim Flanary stated, “John attended whatever firefighting classes were offered to bring the knowledge back to his home agency. Many times, he was the oldest in attendance and would ‘show the kids’ how to train and work hard. There
was never a task too difficult or minuscule for John to take ownership of. He worked hard, but laughed even more. He enjoyed life, those around him, and dearly loved his family.”

John was a collector of many things including coins, stamps, and Kiddie cars. He enjoyed woodworking and loved being around his grandchildren.

Despite John’s tragic death, he will continue to have an everlasting impact on many lives through his gift of organ donation!