Randel Leonard Zeller

Captain Randel Leonard Zeller, United States Navy, retired, age 72, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, in Fairfax, VA. Randel was born at the US Army Hospital in Fort Belvoir, VA, on July 28, 1953, to Leonard and Kathryn Zeller. Soon thereafter, Army orders moved the family to Germany where scouting became a key part of Randy’s life. He excelled in academics and athletics, graduating with highest honors from Crossland High School, Temple Hills, MD, in 1972. Randy followed in his father’s footsteps of military service, beginning studies at the US Naval Academy in 1972. Upon graduating with honors in 1975, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy. Randy loved being at sea on the “boats” and embracing new, stealthy, and often “first of its kind” challenges. His accomplished naval career spanned over 28 years. It included a plank owner’s second tour on the USS Groton (SSN 694) as Executive Officer, submarine command of the USS Gato (SSN 615), a senior policy role at the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs, and senior command of the Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, GA. Following retirement from the Navy, Randel began public service as a civilian senior advisor to a Senate member. This responsibility led to subsequent leadership roles in the Senior Executive Service until his retirement in 2018. His distinguished contributions shaped national interagency coordination and partnerships among government, military, private, and public partners. Public sources attest to some of his accomplishments. On June 14, 1975, Randel married Deborah Lee Chipman, formerly of Dayton, OH, at the US Naval Academy Chapel. They recently celebrated their jubilee wedding anniversary at the same church where Randy was baptized. His greatest joys were his daughter, AZ, and son, Nate. Randy relished supporting them in all their endeavors, especially in the great outdoors. Randy’s life was one of quiet patriotism—built on love, humility, and a commitment to doing what was right. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and those whose lives he touched along the way. Randel Zeller is survived by his: wife, Debbie, and mother-in-law, Beverly Jean (née Gates) Chipman; daughter, Alexandra Lynn (née Zeller) Candler, and son-in-law John Declan Candler; son, Nathaniel Richard Leonard Zeller; brother, Ronald Louis Zeller and wife Rebecca Pearl (née Hayes) Zeller; sister, Robin Kay (née Zeller) Shade, and husband Steven Shade; sister-in-law, Valerie Ann (née Chipman) Powers. Randy is also survived by many treasured nieces, nephews, and God children. Family members preceding Randy in death include his: parents LTC Leonard Joseph Zeller, US Army (ret) (1929-2007) and Kathryn Delores (née Sams) Zeller (1931-2014); sister, Katrina Lynn Zeller (1958-1979); baby Zachary Zeller (1993); and father-in-law, LTC Richard Alan Chipman, US Air Force (ret) (1932-2021). Family and friends are invited to visitation at Pierce Funeral Home (PFH) from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Eastern on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110. The PFH website is https://www.piercefh.com. Family and friends will gather at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church to celebrate Randel Zeller’s Funeral Mass, which begins at 11:00 AM Eastern on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 6720 Union Mill Road, Clifton, VA 20124. The church website is https://st-andrew.org/contact-us. Burial with full military funeral honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date and time. Contributions in Captain Zeller’s memory may be made to an organization listed below:  St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church ‘Music Program’ at https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/FD-310  Centreville Volunteer Fire Department, Station #17 at https://www.cvfd.org/donate/  USS Groton Sail Foundation at https://grotonsail.com/donate/  Submarine Force Library and Museum Association at https://ussnautilus.org/donate-now/ Per family wishes, please do not send flowers/plants to the funeral home or church.

Randel Leonard Zeller

July 28, 1953 - December 1, 2025