Homer Clay Randolph was born in Trigg County, Kentucky on July 31, 1895. He was the son of Robert Alexander Randolph and Cornelia “Nellie” Johnson, residents of Trigg County, Kentucky.
On October 2, 1917, Homer was inducted into the U.S. Army to serve in World War I. He was assigned to Camp Zachary Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, one of sixteen national army training camps created during World War I. He was assigned to the 325the Field Artillery and because of his musical talent, his rank was that of Musician, third class and he was attached to the Headquarters Company.
Homer was shipped to France and was assigned to the Army Band where he played the second trumpet. He became close friends with the soldier who was assigned as first trumpet, a man whose name was Maurice and was French. Maurice was an accomplished musician and helped Homer who had no formal musical training, but had a special talent of hearing a tune one time and was able to play in straight through. So with the help of Maurice and his natural talent, Homer was able to play all the army music and all the marches. When Homer’s first son was born in 1923, he named him Earl Maurice in honor of his good friend.
After the war ended, Homer was shipped back to the United States on February 2, 1919 from Pauillac, France sailing on the ship, “Antigone” He was sent back to Camp Zachary Taylor where on March 3, 1919, he was discharged from the Army. Homer returned to Trigg County and farmed. Later, he also worked in the oil fields of Louisiana and with the Illinois Central Railroad in Paducah, Kentucky and the shipyards in Evansville, Indiana.
During these years, he continued to play music, having his own band. He had lots of community entertainment events winning many accolades for his performances. He won many prizes at the old Fiddler’s contests. At one time he was known as “Mr. Music” of Trigg County. His musical talents were passed down to his children, as he was the father of well known and celebrated musician, “Boots” Randolph.
Prior to his induction into the military, Homer married Bessie Mae Skaggs from the Donaldson Creek community in Trigg County on April 1, 1916. They were the parents of four children, Dorothy, Earl Maurice, Robert and Homer Louis “Boots”.
Homer died in Nashville, Tennessee on May 2, 1965 at the age of 69 and was buried in the Peyton Thomas Cemetery in Trigg County, Kentucky. His wife, Bessie died at the age of 71 on August 25, 1968 and was also buried in the Peyton Thomas Cemetery.
Marriage Announcement for Homer Clay and Bessie May Skaggs
The Paducah Sun Democrat, April 3, 1916
LINEAGE: (Home Clay Randolph was the husband of Bessie Mae Skaggs. Bessie was the daughter of James Monroe and Enola Clemantine Thomas Skaggs, granddaughter of Albert Dillard and Mary Jonathan Vinson Thomas and the great-granddaughter of Peyton and Sarah Ethridge Thomas. Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas. Cullen was the first child of James Thomas and Mary Standley Thomas.)
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