Obituary of Randy Hall

Randy Hall passed away on Friday December 14th peacefully while surrounded by friends in Soquel, California after a year-long illness.  He was 68.  Randy Hall was born to Shirley Scott and Joseph Hall in Coalinga California.  When Randy was 4-he moved to Santa Cruz where he lived for the rest of his life.  Randy went to Branciforte Elementary, Branciforte Junior High, Santa Cruz High School (graduating in 1968) and then went to Cabrillo College for 2-years.  Randy was an excellent student with mostly A’s and B’s.

Directly out of college Randy worked for Fred Behrendt as a house painter and then began working for himself. In 1988 Randy sought sobriety and overcame his addictions.  He stayed sober for 30 years until his passing on December 14.  Randy became a licensed and accomplished CA Private Investigator where he became known as an inventor. Randy was an investigator for National Claims Control (NCC) from 1991-2008, and for Western Limited from 2008-2018. 


 He is credited for creating numerous devices that he used as a private investigator including cameras built into hats, cameras into clipboards and into sunglasses.  His inventions were created long before they became widely available.  He was an expert at doing surveillance in difficult rural situations as well as in risky and dangerous areas.  Randy was a true pioneer and was responsible for countless insurance fraud convictions.

Randy was generous to a fault and a loyal friend with a big heart.  He was always willing to help those who asked---and even those who didn’t.   Recently, even as he was in ill health, he took off from work for 10-days to help a friend who had lost his son in the wilderness.  Randy searched with his friend day and night for the boy in another state, and in the cold.

Randy loved the Blues and had written and recorded songs in that genre.  He loved playing 6-string guitar as well as bass guitar.   The locals here will remember that he played with the infamous West Side Raider band in the 60’s and 70’s.  Randy had many friends in the SC Surfing Community developing for his love of surfing which began in 1962 at Cowells Beach.

Randy had a wonderful sense of humor, a beautiful laugh and everyone that knew Randy will sorely miss him.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Pam, and is survived by his half-sister and brother Leslie and Dewitt Marple, brother-in-law Pete Halper and nephews Jeff and Ryan Halper.

Randy’s ashes will be spread at Sea in the spring.  Those with questions regarding this or anything else please feel free to address them to tomr@tomralstonconcrete.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Randy Hall, please visit Tribute Store
A Memorial Tree was planted for Randy
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel