Randall Felton left an indulable impression on me that has lasted more than 40 years.  I had the pleasure of being a student of his in1975-76 at Jean Ribault Sr. High in Jacksonvlle, Fl.  The class was Pre-Advance Placement History.  I was a tenth grade student but the things that I learned in his class has benefitted me throughout my life.  Many things I can clearly remember because Mr. Felton was very visual.  For example, when he taught on the Roman Empire, he greeted us at the door dressed as Julius Cesar complete with toga, sandles and the laurette on his head.  When teaching about the 50's, he wore straight legged jeans, loafers, white tee shirt complete with a small box in the sleeve that looked like a pack of smokes.  I have always wondered about him, what was he doing and how he was living his life. but I just knew that whatever he did it was exciting and with flair.  To the family:  I can only imagine the powerful impact he had on your lives and the memories you all share.  Please know that there are many, many of us who share your loss.  I just recently learned of his passing (1/12/2020) and wish that I could have spoken with him just to keep in touch.  May God strengthen, bless and keep you always. 

 Veda Stukes of Jacksonville, Fl  Jean Ribault Sr. High c/o 1976.

My sincere condolences to the Felton family. I just found out about Randy's passing during this Christmas season.. He was my principal at John Paul II Catholic High school where we both worked. May he rest in peace.

Randy today I put Grandpa to rest and know in my heart the two of you have met up again. I have thought of you and especially the loss both your Grandkids (Nicholas & Samantha) must being feeling to have lost both their grandfather's in a 6 month time frame. Please watch over them today. Love always, Amanda

Sorry for this tardy entry, but I only recently found out about Randy's passing. I was a visiting our mutual friend, Gary Seibert, in Savannah earlier this month and while reminiscing about high school days in Jacksonville, we got to talking about Randy. As the talk went on and on, the trail of friendship extended from high school through our college years and beyond. Unfortunately, when my parents moved to North Carolina in 1972 I lost contact with Jacksonville, Randy and Gary. Thinking about all this, Gary and I were on the verge of 'calling' Randy and while seeking out a home phone number came across this announcement.   In reading the entries and the long list of Randy's achievements, I found myself getting more and more depressed that I had lost contact. On the other hand, I was so impressed with his career and the love that so many friends have expressed. But yet, I was not surprised, because the glow of his life, the vitality of his work, and the intensity of his caring still rings true almost 50 years after we assembled in Gary's backyard for endless games of touch football. Here's hoping that Randy has found his Elysian field of dream. 

Richard Magin (rmagin@uic.edu)

Happy 4th of July Randy. Thank you for your service and protecting our rights as a free country. You are truly an inspiration to so many. You,are forever in my,heart and prayers.

In I964, I began my freshman year at Smith Hall at FSU.  Across the hall from me was a guy named Randy Felton.  Randy was a Navy brat from Jacksonville.  He had attended Catholic school and so had I, so that started a conversation. In subsequent conversations our friendship grew.  When my first roommate dropped out after the first semester, Randy requested my room. We continued to share the same room or the same house together throughout our four undergraduate years, along with John Gray, another freshman on the same floor of Smith Hall.  The three of us have remained close friends and talk on the phone monthly. 

Randy was a history major and he showed me a three-volume 750 page manuscript that he had written while in high school on the rise and fall of the Roman empire. I was amazed that this guy had written such a book while in high school, actually during his freshman and sophomore years. I started reading it and immediately became immersed in it.  I talked with him about it every day, and each time I brought up what I had read, he waxed elegant on the topic, to the extent that I wondered why he didn't put all that in the book. It would become too long, he said.  But it was clear to me that Randy was a serious historian and a good writer who had a special knack for telling interesting stories and anecdotes.

During our Freshman year, Randy noticed a graduate course in History of Rome in the university catalog.  He called the prof and asked if he could take his course.  The prof said he would first have to meet him to determine if he had enough background to take the course.  So they set up an appt to meet for lunch.  At the meeting, the prof asked Randy what book on Rome he had read.  Randy then cited a dozen books on the subject and they began to discuss the focus and point of view of each author.  That comparison and discussion went on for an hour and a half.  The prof said he had to leave for a faculty meeting and Randy asked him if he could take the course.  The prof said Yes, but I don't know why you would want to. You already know enough to teach it.   

In the first class Randy attended he noted that the prof began the class by drawing a map of the Roman empire on three blackboards, so he could portray a visual image of where things were happening.  He did this before each class.  Randy could draw maps too and in the fourth class he got there an hour early and filled the boards with a map of the Empire for the period to be discussed by the prof.  Randy's map was much better, in color, and with more detail.  As soon as the prof walked in and saw the map he asked Randy (the freshman in this course for graduate students of history) if he had drawn it.  Yes sir, Randy replied.  The prof didn't say anything, but he made use of the map throughout the class.  Randy continued to do draw a map before each class and the prof continued to use them. 

Randy should have been a historian. He had an unusual knack for remembering names, dates, places, etc. and that's essential for a good historian.  

Randy led many different lives in his 69 years. 

He was an outstanding high school teacher of social studies.  He was named teacher of the year in Duval County.  He was transferred to a mostly African-American school in the county and was voted best teacher in the school his first year there.  He eventually became social studies coordinator for the county and then became FL state supervisor of social studies for the Florida Department of Education.  He also was elected president of the Florida Council for the Social Studies and remained active with them throughout his life.  (Upon hearing of Randy's passing, the FCSS immediately devoted the cover page of their website to Randy.)  He stayed in his position at the FDE for more than a decade.  After six years of no pay raises for FDE employees, he took at job with Leon County Public Schools in the central office.  After all, he had a wife and three children to support!  He eventually became secondary curriculum coordinator, introduced the International Baccaleurate program to Leon County, and was a very well respected administrator within the county school system. 

Around the year 2000 he retired.  Soon afterwards he accepted an invitation from the Archbishop of the Diocese to start a catholic school in North Florida and serve as its principal.  The school was given the name of John Paul II Catholic High School.  Randy found and purchased the lot, worked with an architect to design the school, was on site every day during construction, recruited the first class of students and interviewed and hired all the teachers, all within the space of two years.  Three years later Randy retired for the second time.  

This would have been enough for any educator, but not for Randy.  Two years later, when the FL legislature funded the establishment of a state history exam, FDE senior staff met to decide how to develop and implement this new requirement.  The first issue they confronted was Who could head this up?  It was obvious to everyone that Randy Felton had the respect of the social studies educators throughout the state, and he had the management skills and drive to make the project work.  So they called him back to the office and proposed it to him, strongly encouraging him to come back to work.  After discussing it with his wife, he agreed to go back to work for the FDE to head up this new project.  Randy was successful, just as they had expected.  At the end of four years, he again retired; this time at the end of 2015, just three months before he passed away.  His passing was a complete surprise to all who knew him.  He left behind a void in the hearts of many who never got to say good-bye or to see him one last time.  

Because I am in the standardized testing field myself, Randy and I talked on the phone frequently about the challenges of his job, the demanding schedule, problems with the test administration contractor, report writing, etc.  I am so glad that we got to talk like this. 

Besides his multiple lives as an educator, he was a military officer.  After getting his B.S. in social studies education at FSU, he enlisted in the US Navy. His dad had been in the Navy and Randy was accostomed to and comfortable with Navy life.  This was during the Vietnam war and Randy spent two years aboard Navy warships off the coast of South Vietnam, providing artillary support to US troops fighting the Army of North Vietnam and the Viet Cong.  Among other duties Randy worked as a quartermaster. The quartermaster is in charge of all military material, obtaining it, storing it, training others in how to use it or handle it, keeping inventory, etc. After leaving active duty he remained in the Navy Reserve.  Again, he served as quartermaster, which is a crucial function in reserve and national guard units.  Randy carried out this function and also wrote manuals for those who would follow him.  When he was about to exit the Navy, his commanding officer approached him about reenlisting, but as an officer.  Randy agreed, and started a new career as an Ensign in the Navy Reserve.  Randy wrote many manuals in those intial years as an officer.  Randy could write well and the Navy recognized it.  Eventually, he was given command responsibilities, such as supervising the loading or  unloading of warships in specific ports or traveling with the ship to train new personnel in the quartermaster corps.  He saw lots of active duty especially during the Persian Gulf war of 1900-1991.  In far away wars like these, the Navy plays multiple roles.  He got promotions because of his ability to get along well with other seaman and his ability to get the job done.  When Randy retired as a Commander, three admirals attended his retirement ceremony in Tampa.  It is not common for an admiral to attend the retirement of a commander (two ranks below), but these admirals wanted to come and thank him for his fine work, his leadership, and his dedication to the Navy.  

Randy was a product of 12 years of Catholic education and he never waivered from this identity.  When I attended his funeral, I learned that he had headed up the Knights of Columbus at Good Shephard Catholic Church where his funeral was held.  Of course K of C members were present in full dress and the pastor spoke elegantly of all that Randy had done for the church and the parish.  

When I think back on all that Randy was, I can't help but think of all he might have been.  Around 1980, when Randy was in his mid-thirties, Harcourt (a major book publisher) was relocating from San Antonio to Orlando and they needed a chief editor for their history/social studies unit.  They contacted Randy who was one of their authors, interviewed him, and after considering other candidates, offered him the job.  In those days, heading up a content section of a major book publishing house was a prestigeous job that paid very well and included extensive travel to recruit and meet with authors, sales staff, etc.  It was a job for an intellectual, a business leader, and a gentleman.  Randy was excited and ready to go when he found out that he had cancer, which would require at least two years of treatments (radiation and chemo) if it was successful.  He called Harcourt and told them, and they withdrew their offer.  Randy understood that this was best for them and for him.  Randy survived that cancer and lived for 35 years more.  He never felt any bitterness about the lost opportunity.  He went on with his life finding meaning in his work as an educator.  

Randy remained a friend to me and to John Gray, his other roommate, to the end.  We both came to Tallahassee for his funeral.  It was hard to return, knowing we wouldn't be seeing or talking to him again. 

PS.  I forgot to mention that Randy was president of our fraternity at FSU during both his junior and senior years.  Needless to say, we exhibited lots of school spirit, especially during football season. 

Charles W Stansfield
FSU class of 1968, Ph.D. FSU, 1973

Sorry for lost of a wonderful brother and dad.

Dad
Thank you for everything you provided to me. I can never repay to you or mom the life lessons you have shown me. I'll love you till my last breath. I'll never watch another FSU game the same. I miss you everyday, and wish for just one more football season with you and the football pool. I love you so much, I just hoped I showed it enough. Your son, Ryan

Always enjoyed Randy's humor, professionalism and expertise during the time we worked as colleagues in the DOE..

Randy was Grand Knight when I joined the Knights of Columbus.  He made me feel very welcome.  I always looked forward to seeing him at meetings.  He was  a good friend, honorable and kind.  I will miss him.

What a pleasure it was to work so closely with Randy during the first years of John Paul II Catholic High School.  He was so committed to making sure our students had as many opportunities available to them as students in other high schools had, even with our small beginnings.  And, he was so ardent in passing on the faith to the students in our school.  Thank you, Randy.  May you be welcomed with open arms into the kingdom of heaven.

I can't believe it!  We have truly lost a jewel!  We will miss you... 
Ashley Hall (Navarre, Florida)

Randy, I wish I could have been there to celebrate your life today. But Nicky and Sammy your first grandson and grandaughter were there. I have kept a fire and candle burning for you since early this morning. It's hard to believe you are no longer here. I was just telling the kids stories about memories I had of you that went back when I was 15 years old. Scarry how things change and how fast time flies by.  Know that you will forever be remembered and loved. Every time I look at the kids I will remember you and how very kind you ALWAYS were to me. Thank you for the memories, the laughters and most of all for your son; because without him I wouldn't have theese two beautiful babies. May your soul find rest.

Felton Family, I am so sorry for your loss.  I worked with Randy when he was a DOE and Leon County.  He was first and foremost wonderful family man, so proud of his family.  Randy was also an outstanding educator who touched so many people through his leadership and insight.  Stay strong, my prayers are with you all.

I had the pleasure of working with Randy for a number of years while he was the director of Social Studies.  We had a great time even though I had a tendency to frustrate him when "acquiring" items for the History Fair or Social Studies Conference in Tallahassee.  He will be greatly missed but, left so much to all of us that the memories he left will always be with us.   He was truly a great person and my condolences go out to the family.  Celebrate him and always remember the great things he did and the wonderful times of which he was a part. 

Michael Sever

I am so sad to hear of Dr. Felton's passing away.  I met him 5 years ago when he started to introduce the brand new 7th grade Florida Civics that he was in charge of implementing.  His guidance & patience, his presentation and explanation of the process, tirelessly answering questions and encouraging us teachers with his dry sense of humor helped numerous teachers through a rigorous process. We appreciate the sacrifice his family made as he gave up many weeks and weekends to travel all over the state.  He was a blessing and a "cool" guy.

I worked with Randy at the FL Department of Education.  He was such a nice guy and always a pleasure to work with and be around.  I was shocked and saddened to hear about this and extend sympathies to his family.

Dear Renee and family, so sorry to hear about Randy, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.  Randy was one great guy, a true gentleman.

Connie and Ray Haverty

It is extremely hard to say goodbye to a wonderful man and colleague.  Everyone that worked with Randy at FCSS will tell you that he would do anything for anyone.  His stories made you laugh and his great advice always made you stop and think of ways to do things a little better.  I cherish the last 10 years that I got to know Randy.
One of the most important things that I can say about him is that he was truly living every day in the life of Jesus Christ.  He always followed the role model of our Lord and treated others with dignity, respect, love, compassion and of course mercy.  There is no doubt that he is looking down on all of us from Heaven.  Rest in peace my friend.

My respects to the family on your loss. I consider myself fortunate and honored to have had the opportunity to work with Randy for the past five years. I am always mindful of the respect Randy showed to me, and the students and teachers of Florida. I shall miss his humor and his stories. Here's to you Randy.

My condolences to the Felton family and the JPII community. Dr. Felton was a very caring and understanding person. His work at JPII helped to create a very supportive and enriching community and gave myself and many others the opportunity to have a high school education in a Catholic environment. From his compassion for his students to his "plethora" of morning announcements, he certainly left his mark on many of us. Thank you, Dr. Felton.

I was fortunate to work with Randy in many educational pursuits and always admired his expertise and dedication. I am also fond of his family and wish them comfort and blessings.

Hello, my name is Ann shipman. This am in the paper I read of Randy's passing.
Want to send my sincere condolences to the entire family. What a nice man.
He was one of my teaching professors at fsu, even though I did not become a teacher!!  Not long ago he gave permission to use is name as a reference for a job. He remembered from our days at fsu. used to see him at publix once in
Awhile.did not know he was ill.  Again prayers to the entire family.
Take care Ann shipman

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dr. Felton was a passionate educator that greatly influenced so many lives. I will miss seeing him at 8am Mass and hearing him read the readings.                   May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Very sorry to hear of Randy's passing. His humor and his weekly football pools enlivened our time together at the Florida DOE. He was a good lad!

Tim Callahan

It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to a dear friend and colleague. Randy I have respected you for decades and appreciated your insight, your humor, and your dedication to social studies. From your days as state social studies supervisor to your school-based leadership to your most recent expertise within the social studies assessment community; you will be missed tremendously. I am sorry that I was not able to attend the last civics EOC meeting in Jacksonville with you. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you throughout the years. My deepest condolences to Renee and family. Thank you for sharing him with us throughout the years.  Annette Boyd Pitts, Tallahassee

So very sorry for your loss. Randy was a kind, professional and caring man. He will be missed by so many people. However, his spirit will live on in all of us. Your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

We are so sorry for your loss! It's so hard to believe Randy is no longer with us.  His spirit lives on in all of us who were blessed to know him. 
You are all in our prayers!
Claudette and Rick McCann

So so sorry for your loss.  Prayers coming your way to you & your family.
Uncle Bob & Aunt Laura Smolak

Dear Renee and Family:
I am so sad to hear of Randy's passing.  I enjoyed working with him at Leon County schools as well as on the JPII Board.  He was  a true colleague and friend.  My thoughts and prayers are with u all.

To the Felton Family,
     We were saddened to hear of the passing of Randy. It was a pleasure to serve as a Eucharistic Minister with him at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. He was a very nice man and will be missed by all. May God bless and comfort you all during this trying time.

Randy was a very special man. He contributed enormous value to education in Florida with his work in social studies, his leadership in the IB program at Rickards, and at Pope Paul II High School. He lived life fully and could be relied on in every way (including his thorough design and management of the football pool). Stories of our work and play with Randy will live on for decades to come. His calendar, his typewriter, his post-its, his beer, ...

I will miss you, dear friend.

Randy was a great man. I was fortunate to work with him at LCS and at JPII.  He always had a wonderful spirit and elevated all in his presence. He will be greatly missed.

Farewell, friend.

"The Irishman"

Please know know that our prayers are with your family. Randy was such an inspiration to so many. He will be sorely missed.  Sue and Richard Huth

Randy was tops in my book. Within moments of being in his presence, I was laughing and smiling. I enjoyed every opportunity I had to work with him and I learn a lot. My deepest sympathies to his wife, Renee, and his children.

I was Randy's Executive Officer when he was Commanding Officer at Navy Cargo Handling Battalion SIX in Brooklyn.  I don't know anyone who enjoyed the Navy or the camaraderie with his troops more than Randy.  He told a great story and gave the best parties!

Please accept our sincerest condolences on your loss of Randy.    Mr. & Mrs. Edward Nicholson

A great loss to the field of social studies education!  So glad I had an opportunity to know and learn from Randy.  His contributions to the kids of Florida are immeasurable.  Condolences to the family.  He will be missed by many!

I truly enjoyed getting to know Randy the last five years during our work on the USH EOCA.  He was quick with a smile and a funny story, and I so appreciated his warmth, support, and guidance.  We were all blessed to have known Randy!  May God bless the Felton Family during this trying and difficult time.

Randy will be deeply missed by so many people who enjoyed his intelligence, wit, and friendliness. Namaste and rest peacefully, Randy.

Randy always had a twinkle in his eye and a laugh to share. Always quick with a story, he was a great man to work with and to be around. He had great passion for his family, his dogs (and others "pooches"), his work, and football. I pray God will grant Renee and his family peace and comfort.

My deepest condolences to the family.

Besides being one of the most professionally dedicated persons I have known, Randy was just fun to associate with. I cherish the friendship that we had as fellow board members on FCSS and our many conversations about the prospects of Seminole football. I am sure that he will still be doing the tomahawk chop in Heaven.

Randy was a good man who will be greatly missed.

What a loss to The Florida Social Studies community. He was a good mentor from whom I learned a lot.  He will be missed.

I am so sorry that Randy has left us. He was a fun guy to work with. May God grant peace and comfort to Renee and the Felton family in this difficult time.

Randy was a mentor and a friend to me.  My deepest condolences go out to his family.  He was a great man, that would go out of his way to assist anyone in need.  He will be missed by many.  Although he is physically gone, he will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched.  I will miss you Randy.

It is hard to imagine a world without Randy's sense of humor and that develish smile and twinkle in his eyes.  The Randy I knew and worked with for many years was first a gentleman then a leader and if a good time could be  had in the process, he would throw that in for extra measure.  I am honored to have been included in his circle of friends.  I am confident he carries this aura as he begins life's next adventure.  

To Randy's family.  I wish I could give you the magic words and actions to help you cope with this sudden and crippling loss.  Alas, I am empty handed.  Instead, here are my hopes for your family in the coming days and months.  

Remember to say "I love you," to family and friends.  You can never say it too often.  Take time for yourself, but give of a yourself to one another.  It will be a bumpy ride and supporting one another is the only way to survive.  Talk about it, question it and ask questions of family, friends, fellow travelers on this painful path, and others you respect.  You are not guaranteed the answers, but you will all feel better for going through the process.  

My heart goes out to you.  Your father was an amazing and wonderful guy and I know that those qualities live on through each of you.  May God bless you all with His peace and understanding today, tomorrow and for evermore.

Randy was the epitome of the "Southern gentleman."  Always courteous and mindful of the needs of others, he invariably placed the welfare of both friends and strangers before his own.  He exhibited a true "Renaissance spirit" and his sharp wit won admiration of friends and foes alike.  Never content to see an injustice not corrected, he devoted his entire life toward the betterment of everything he saw.  What I remember most of Randy was how he relished the 'good fight in the ring.'  Randy--more than anyone I ever knew--lived up to the old TR adage about the "man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood .... who spends himself for a worthy cause.  Randy was never content to sit on the sidelines and he really didn't care about who was on the other side or what the odds were.  He could be depended upon to 'dare greatly' in the cause of what he thought was right and there was never a doubt where he stood on issues.   

Randy had this wonderfully persuasive gift of oratory in debate while at the same time exhibiting an almost jovial nature toward those whose positions he had just eviscerated with razor-sharp logic.  Yet amazingly, despite the scars of many battles over quite a few decades, I never knew Randy to ever hold a grudge or to have even a single detractor.  In the 35 years I knew Randy, I can't recall a single harmful sling or arrow' that was ever sent his way.  He won the respect of all and would, whether his view prevailed or not, engage his opponents with friendly banter afterward.  More importantly, he could be counted on to help all sides move forward following whatever decision was made.  A leader by example, he was tireless in his efforts to make the both Florida and the world a better place.  
     
No one except possibly Abe Lincoln enjoyed sharing 'yarns' and funny stories from the past.  And like Lincoln, Randy would join in the ensuing laughter as much as his listeners.  He had so many passions it's hard to know where to begin -- passions about his country, his family, FSU, the Navy, his faith, FCSS, what the social studies curriculum could do for public education, and living in the Panhandle--among other things.  He was also a wonderful motivator of others and he could be depended upon to deliver busloads of conferees to many of the old-time FCSS conferences.  [And everyone knew when Randy's troops arrived.']   Few commanded the respect he earned from the people he touched--whether these were D.O.E. bureaucrats, Florida Superintendents and politicians, other social studies colleagues, district principals and administrators, textbook C.E.O.s  and authors, nationally recognized historians or --most importantly for him  students.  
      
His like will not be soon seen again in our profession and I seriously doubt there is anyone today who could easily step into his shoes.  His passing marks the end of era and is a great loss to us all.  But as Randy would most likely optimistically say, leadership abhors a vacuum and there's nothing like a crisis to bring forth the best in people.  It will be interesting to see who in the future will step forward to continue his legacy.   Randy's example will certainly make their paths easier than his own.

Dear Renee and the Felton Family. We send you Love and our deepest sympathy. Our hearts are simply broken that Randy is gone. He will be so missed in so many ways. Our lives are truly blessed having known him, worked with him and cheered with for his beloved NOLES! You are in our hearts and prayers. With Love,

I called Randy "Dad" because he had the caring heart of a father.  We would often share a good laugh as I came to work each morning.  I admired him for his passion for education and the love he had for his bride, family and of course, his dogs. May the peace that passeth all understanding comfort his family during this difficult time.

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Randy Felton.

Randy is an inspiration to me.  I have always valued his counsel and guidance.  I pray for the repose of his soul.

Heartfelt condolences to Renee and family. Randy radiated joy, humor, integrity, compassion, faith, and so much more. It is an honor to have known and worked with him. He will be sorely missed.

My deepest sympathy to Renee and family for their loss. I am glad to be among those who had the pleasure of working with and getting to know Randy.

A true loss to our community, as a colleague and a friend. Deepest condolences to family and friends.

God's comfort and peace to the Felton family at this time.  
In HIs Name, Stacy

We are all very sorry to hear of Randy's passing.  He was a good guy, always an interesting fellow to chat with.  Our condolences to Renee, Julie, Beth and Ryan and then entire family.   Pete Chamlis

OBITUARIO

Dr. Randall "Randy" Felton

21 septiembre, 1946 – 9 abril, 2016

Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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