Dr. Randell "Randy" Hartlage

Dr. Randell “Randy” Hartlage, age 73, of Tallahassee, FL passed away on March 18, 2024. Randell Joseph Hartlage was born on September 29, 1950 in Tampa, FL to Frederick and Alberta Hartlage. He was raised in Tampa and graduated from Jesuit High School in 1968. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Florida, and later attended medical school at the University of South Florida, graduating with his medical degree in 1975. He went on to complete his Family Medicine Residency training at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He then served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy in Cherry Point, NC, before returning to Tallahassee in 1980 to found Tallahassee Family Medicine with Dr. Leslie Emhof, where he practiced until he retired in December 2022.

Dr. Hartlage was known to his patients as caring, compassionate, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and most importantly, never in a rush. Many of his patients, and even some of his dedicated office staff, had been with him for over 30 years. Both patients and staff described him as consistently going above and beyond. His family and friends knew him as loving, dependable, comforting, witty, and lighthearted. He loved exploring the back roads and less beaten paths of the North Georgia mountains, front porch rocking chairs at his lake cabin, cheering on his Florida Gators through all kinds of weather, contemplating life’s mysteries over a good cigar, reminiscing about “hanging on to a line from a sailboat” in the Keys while listening to Jimmy Buffett, cooking and serving Ybor City favorites picadillo and paella, and most of all, his family (including the furry four legged ones). He was affectionately known as “Grandy” by his seven grandchildren, who gleefully relished his tall tales – most notably his close calls while hunting sasquatch in his younger years.

He is survived by his wife Debra of Tallahassee; children Elizabeth (William) Garrow of Hudson, FL, Gregory (Jennifer) Hartlage of Tallahassee, and Emily Hartlage of Tallahassee; grandchildren Carter, Liam, Landon, Aria, and Lance Garrow, and Reagan and Rex Hartlage; brothers Frederick (Ellie) Hartlage Jr. and Christopher (Patricia) Hartlage; sisters Mary Lois (Robert) Fernandez and Brenda (Warren) Mack; and eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lauren John Hartlage, and nephew Larry Hartlage.

The Hartlage family will receive visitors on Sunday, March 24, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312. The Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Foley officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations be made to the Leon County Humane Society or any other animal rescue of your choosing in honor of Dr. Hartlage.