Birth date: Nov 4, 1965 Death date: Aug 14, 2025
Randi Karlin Walker, 59, of Albemarle, passed away in his sleep on August 14, 2025, after doing what he was so often remembered for, helping a friend. Randi’s life was defined by determination, humor, and heart. He was born in Ce Read Obituary
My name is Mike Carnes. I'm not sure how long I've known Randi, but it's been a long time. We first met through the Jalopy Shop. We connected through a shared interest in vintage muscle cars. I invited him to go to Charlotte Autofair with me, and he was hooked on going to swap meets.
After Randi closed the Jalopy Shop, he had a lot more free time on his hands. He was thrilled to be starting a new chapter of his life when he bought his log cabin. Moving day really wore me and several other friends out. He had so many plans about what he was going to in retirement. He was going to travel, finish the Cuda, build the Trans Am, go to some car shows and swap meets, etc. Randi was always optimistic about the future.
We also shared a love for animals. I was planning to ride down to his house to introduce him to my new dog when Brandi answered his phone and told me he had passed. Randi will be missed.
I never had the privilege of meeting Randi, but I feel like we knew each other. Where as he owned the Jalopy Shop, I owned the Jolly Jalopy Ice-cream Truck. People would get our phone numbers mixed up for years. We both just sent the customers to the correct number. This was a beautiful write up. I wish that I had met him in person 🙏
My name is Tracy Parnell Whitley. I went to school with Randi at West Albemarle Elementary School. He was very kind and friendly. I’m so sorry for your loss. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
What a shock this is. Randi became an instant friend (really one of my first) when I arrived in Stanly County in 1976. Our first meeting was sitting side by side in 5th grade class at Aquadale Elementary School. We loved being Mrs. Horne's nemesis.
We spent many weekends together at each other's homes as kids and grew up to hunt together; he was quite the marksman, me not so much.
And yes, I remember the many vehicles that he spent weeks and months working on. Some of them gave me quite the scare; I have to say that he liked to drive fast at times.
The high school years were a bit different; he attended Albemarle, whereas I attended South Stanly, and there was a running joke to that situation.
I still have a stack of letters that he wrote to me, just about every week, while serving in the Gulf War and I know that I was one of the first people to have the privilege of a bear hug from him when he came home late that night, still in his military jump suit. He came into my bedroom and woke me up to do it.
There are so many fond memories in my mind, and I could spend a whole day writing stories about our friendship over the years but will end with this.
We had not seen each other in a long time but just a few days ago, I was thinking about him, wondering if he was still in town, even trying to figure it out.
Then a mutual friend asked me this morning if I had heard the news.
Rest in peace, my friend. You were and will always be missed.
Gregory Scott Broome
Albemarle
August 22, 2025
