John Randall "Randy" Smith

John Randall “Randy” Smith passed away peacefully on April 9, 2023 at the age of 81. Randy was born in Jacksonville, Florida on October 27, 1941. His young life took him to many different places from Tripoli, Libya in 1953 when he was 11, where he ran track and field at the local junior high school and then to Zaragoza, Spain when he was 15 attending the American high school where he was named co-captain of the football team in 1959 and co-captain of the basketball team the following year. After graduating in 1960 he returned to the US to attend college at FSU. During his college years at FSU, he was invited to join the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. After two years at FSU, he went on to the Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota. It was there that he flourished into the artist that we all knew and loved. When he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1967, he went on to work for a prestigious design firm in Naples. In 1970, Randy became involved in politics working with his brother, Jim Smith, where he helped with the Reuben Askew election campaign and eventually became co-chairman of the Committee to Elect in Collier County. In 1972, he was offered a chance to put his artistic style to good use for the community when he was offered a position to be Director of Design for a land development company in Tallahassee. Being the go-getter that he was, he didn’t stop there. In 1974 he opened his own construction and interior design business. While he was running this business, he decided to teach his passion to the local students by becoming an adjunct professor at FSU in the School for Visual Arts. He went on to work for the state, designing construction projects for state buildings, state parks, and historical restorations. He received awards for his innovation, including the Davis Productivity Award, the Historic Preservation Award, and the Award of Merit from the International Concrete Repair Institute. He took those skills and improved his own life by adding an art studio onto his house. After retiring, he spent a good amount of time in there, creating all sorts of things. He was constantly making gifts for people and creating unique items for people to enjoy. Friends and family encouraged him to submit his work to the Le Moyne Art Foundation. He was accepted without hesitation and his work began to go up on the exhibits for the world to view. When he was invited to participate in the Annual Art Show held by the Senior Center, he was thrilled. He won second place. We are so lucky that his legacy will live on through his art. These pieces will be forever treasured as we know that the man behind the canvas will forever be in our hearts and minds. Randy was loved by so many. He was a good friend, husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Lesley Smith; two brothers, Jim Smith (Carole) & Dale Smith; two sisters, Sharon (Denny) & Cindy (Tim); his two sons, Bryan Smith (Le-Shan) and Clay Smith; his twin daughters Lesley Ann & Lorie Jane Smith; a stepdaughter, Amy; five grandchildren, Brittany, Morgan, Meredith, Alex & Lyla; two great-grandchildren, Riley & Cooper; his first wife Jane (the mother of his four children) and many nieces & nephews. He will be missed tremendously. The family would like to thank all the staff at the Big Bend Hospice and the two home health aides that have been such a help during these past few months for their kindness and wonderful care. A Celebration of Life for Randy will be held, please contact the family for information. The family is being assisted by Jackie Fulford and James Sircy of Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory, Tallahassee, Florida. (850.610.4444/YoungFulford.com)

John Randall "Randy" Smith

October 27, 1941 - April 9, 2023