He graduated from Terryville (CT) High School in 1939. After being named to an alternate appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, he entered the University of Connecticut in the fall on 1939, and while there, he was a part of the football, baseball and rifle teams. Upon completion at UCONN, he received his appointment to West Point and began his military career in July of 1942 as a plebe. He graduated in June, 1945 under the accelerated program instituted during World War II, and was commissioned a 2LT in the Infantry. His first assignment was with the First Infantry Division in Europe. While there, he was given the honor of commanding the squad that fired the 21 gun salute during the funeral of General George Patton. During his 28 years in the Army, his assignments included Trieste, Italy in 1947-48. There he met his future wife, and they were married at the her family farm in Plymouth on February 18, 1949. After Italy, his military assignments included the Pentagon 1948-51; Ft Benning, GA for Advanced Officer Training School 1951-52; Korea during that conflict 1952-53; Japan with the Central Command headquarters 1953-54; Ft Leavenworth, KS 1954-55; Governor's Island, NY with the First Army Headquarters; Schofield Barracks, HI with the 21st and 25th Infantry Divisions; and, finally, VA, where he had assignments at both the Pentagon and Ft Belvoir from 1961 to 1973. A second thirteen month tour in Korea in 1967-68 ocurred during that time period. He retired in 1973, having completed his assignment as Director of the Combat Support Group, Combat Development Command at Ft Belvoir. He went into the real estate business in 1973, working for Mount Vernon Realty and ReMax. He moved to The Fairfax retirement community in 2001.

Randy was pre-deceased by his parents, David W Pratt and Ada (Welton) Pratt, and his brother William. He is survived by his wife of 63 years; one sister; four sons; one daughter; one son-in-law; one daughter-n-law; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandsons. Visitation was on Friday April 20 at the Demaine Funeral Home, Springfield, VA. The Funeral Service was celebrated on Saturday, April 21 at St John's United Methodist Church, Springfield, VA. Graveside Service with Full Military Honors was Thursday, August 9, 2012.