Michael Joseph Randall

Michael Randall was born in Worthington, Minnesota, to a military family 69 years ago and passed away Saturday, December 22, 2018. His father became an officer in the Army and fought on D-Day. They moved to Seminole, Florida, where he attended St. John's Catholic School and Bishop Barry High School. His mother made a courageous fight against cancer to live much longer than projected so she could see him graduate high school.He went to the University of Florida where he earned a degree in broadcast journalism and became a Gator for life. He eventually returned to the Tampa Bay area, where he worked for WFLA-TV and WTVT-TV for 12 years as a Reporter and Weekend Anchor. He was known both for his entertaining features and his hard-hitting journalism. He was married to Patti Breckenridge for eight years, a reporter for the Clearwater Sun and The Tampa Tribune. When they divorced, he attended Wake Forest Law School in North Carolina. After graduating, he passed the Florida Bar on his first attempt and worked at the Hillsborough County State Attorney's office for two and one-half years as a prosecutor. That is where he met Sherry Webb, who was a paralegal. They married before he moved to become General Counsel and Legal Advisor to the Pasco County Sheriff for 16 years. He later became a law enforcement consultant teaching at several local colleges.Mike and Sherry had been married for 26 years, living most of that time in Pasco County. Mike leaves behind two stepchildren, Robert Gray and Kristy Webb Delillo. Rob is married to Lauren Mandish and they have three children, Megan, Carson and Mackenzie. Kristy is married to Nick Delillo and they have one child, Declan. Mike loved doting over his grandchildren, including two others, Kyle and Taylor. Mike has had season tickets to the Gators since graduating from the University of Florida, attending home games for many years with two of his best friends, John Wilson and John Mulry. He loved traveling, particularly to national parks, historical spots, sporting events and Sherry's favorite destinations. He was smart, well read, a history buff, a sports fanatic, always on top of world events, and a gifted writer and speaker. He was funny, non-judgmental and compassionate. But the most important quality everyone who knew him considers his greatest strength was his genuine interest in getting to know people. He could engage anyone in meaningful conversation. He touched so many, and will be dearly missed. Mike's Memorial Service will be held at 11 am, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, 3501 W. San Jose St, Tampa, FL. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First Amendment Coalition (www.firstamendmentcoalition.org).