James G. “Jim” Randas

JAMES G. RANDAS

James G. Randas (Jim), 74, passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease in the early morning hours of  December 23, 2025 in Hospice care at The Gables memory care facility in Westerville, Ohio.

Jim was born in Lima, Ohio to George and Marie (Kirwan) Randas who predecease him. Jim grew up in Lima where his father worked for Empire Linen and Elder Beerman and his mother worked at a local pharmacy. His older sister, Maureen Randas Coburn, also predeceased him in death.

Jim was very outgoing at an early age and made many friends growing up in Lima.  He graduated from Lima Central Catholic High  School (1969), Lima, Ohio where he played football and basketball. He went on to Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio on a football scholarship (a stipend in those days for Division III). Heidelberg’s football team was very good and in Jim’s junior year they won the Division III College Football National Championship. Jim graduated with a degree in History (1973) and eventually obtained his MA in Public  Administration from Central Michigan University (1980).

Shortly after his graduation from college, Jim began his career in law enforcement. He was sworn in as a Special Agent with the Ohio Bureau of Identification and Investigation (BCI) in  1983. He spent 12 years there, eventually working his way up to Investigative Division Chief  before leaving for federal service as a Special Agent with the Department of Labor, Organized Crime and Racketeering. From there he moved to the Department of Defense, Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) in 1987 for 21 years and retired as the Supervisory Special Agent in Columbus. Jim received many commendations and awards during his law enforcement career, of which he was very proud. He was especially proud of his DCIS office’s work with the Joint Terrorism Taskforce in Columbus and their work in Defense Procurement Fraud prosecutions.

Jim married his wife Marcia (Harris) in 1986, who survives, as do his two loving children  Matthew Randas and Taylor Russo (Colin) and two grandchildren Elliot Russo and River Russo.

Jim’s “retirement years” were spent working as a consultant, conducting background  investigations for various federal agencies which kept him extremely busy. He finally retired in 2022. Jim was a member of the Medallion Country Club for 28 years and was an avid golfer, but never quite managed to capture the elusive hole-in-one. He really enjoyed his rounds of golf with his golf group buddies and the time in the men’s grille afterwards! His golf buddies called him the “Mayor” as it seemed that he knew everyone at the Club! Jim played racquetball at Medallion as well and one year won the senior championship! In addition, Jim played golf in the  St. Paul’s Men’s golf league for many years; and, made a great number of close friendships there; as well as his over 65, then 70 softball league.

A memorial service to honor Jim’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Westerville,  Ohio, on February 21, 2026 at 10:00. A celebration of life to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Jim’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association at: www.alz.org, or 5200 Upper Metro Pl., #170, Dublin, Ohio 43017.