James Randall “Randy” Nalley Sr., 78, of Shepherdsville, died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, with his family by his side. He was born in New Haven on Sept. 30, 1947, to the late Joseph Preston Nalley, and Mary Louise (Bryant) Nalley.
He graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in 1966 and was a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He married his wife on June 2, 1973, marking 52 years of love and marriage. He was a proud IBEW union member and retired after a 33 year career at Salt River Rural Electric. He co-owned Nalley Company Realtors alongside his wife and was a licensed realtor for 40 years working with his family.
His life was marked by a deep commitment to his community through service with the local Lion’s Club. His hobbies included showing cattle, watching sporting events, mowing the grass, tinkering in the barn, shooting guns, putting things together, listening to Bluegrass music, and “taking it easy”.
He was a dedicated family man who took his grandchildren on wagon rides, went to their soccer games, and watched them grow. He’d always try teaching them right from wrong and how to respect themselves and others, never letting anyone tell them otherwise. He loved his family all the way but never really said it, you’d know through his actions. He never liked just giving things, he would say “it’ll mean more to you if you earn it.” Though words will never describe his true presence, he was someone to sit with, someone easy to love and be loved by. He was an honest, funny, hardworking “kinda guy” that always gave meaningful life lessons to live by — lessons his family will carry with them always. He was a kind soul with a bright smile and a calming force that was contagious. He will be missed dearly and his memory will never fade.
He was a loving son, brother, husband, dad, papaw, and best friend anyone could ever ask for.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Anne Mackin, Joyce Roberts and Carolyn Baker; four brothers, Joseph Nalley, Patrick Nalley, Wayne Nalley and Michael Nalley; and two grandchildren, James Dalton Purcell and Travis Dean Purcell.
He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy K. Nalley; one daughter, Rebecca Ann Purcell; one son, James Randall Nalley Jr. (Melanie); five sisters, Frances McBride, Teresa Thompson, Rita Rice, Debbie Portman and Margaret Anderson; three brothers, Charles Nalley, Tommy Nalley and Jerry Nalley; six grandchildren Alexis Noelle Minton (Tori), Blake Nicole Turner (Sam), Savannah Rose Nalley (Chance), Jacob Dylan Purcell, Joseph Blake Purcell and Lilly Anne Purcell; two great-grandchildren, Aidan Riley and Tynlee Minton; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other dear family and friends.
The funeral was noon Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at Schoppenhorst Underwood & Brooks Funeral Home. Burial was in Hebron Cemetery.
The Schoppenhorst Underwood & Brooks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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