Randal C. Southerland

Randal “Randy” Curell Southerland was born in Miami, Florida on May 12, 1943 to parents Thomas J. and Marion Curell Southerland. Randy graduated from Coral Gables Senior High School in 1961, then attended and was a 1965 graduate of the University of Florida with a BS/BA degree. He later received a degree in Accounting from the University of Miami. He was a member of the Stags Club fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Coral Gables Yacht Club, Pass-A-Grille Yacht Club and The Winter Park Country Club and Golf Course. Randy served in the U.S. Coast Guard from November 1965 until his Honorable Discharge in 1971. He loved the outdoors; golf and fishing were two of Randy’s passions. He could bridge any gap in time with a game of golf with his buddies and an ice-cold beverage. When asked about his golf game he was often known to describe it with the familiar quote, “I had moments of greatness, and moments of despair!” As an avid fisherman his fishing adventures could be described the same way. He and his friends would fish until the beer stopped flowing or the fish quit biting; always undeterred and never hesitated to try their luck again at the earliest opportunity. Loyalty – friendship – commitment – love – allegiance – fun – were Randy’s legacy, for which he will be greatly missed. His great sense of humor and contagious laughter will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew and loved Randy. He shared his passion for sports with family and friends, and as a die-hard Gator and all-around sports enthusiast he stood by his teams during their good times and bad. Randy was best known for his quiet humility; never seeking recognition for his kind and thoughtful acts for family and friends. There was a strength and depth to Randy’s character that wasn’t obvious; you could always count on him to be there for you. His spirit was larger than all of us put together! One of Randy’s closest friends who shared his love of sailing, reading and countless other things, described him as “a great man, with a strong heart and a quirky sense of humor.” Randy enjoyed the everyday challenges of land acquisition, development and construction in South and Central Florida for over 40 years; he became a Florida Certified General Contractor in 1973. He could resolve almost any problem on a jobsite during his career with the Behring Corporation, MAPP Builders of Coral Springs, as the Orlando Division President for Development Corporation of America, Division President for Built Best Homes, and Owner/President of Regency Homes. Randy cast a wide net of lifelong friendships. His love for life was demonstrated by his love for his wife Michele; his partner, best friend and the “love of his life” for over thirty-two years. Randy also loved his animals, family and friends. He knew no greater joy than being the father of Lacey Curell Sweeney, and he was very fond of his son-in-law Lt. Col. Robert “Bob” J. Sweeney, USAF, Ret. Through them he became the proud grandfather to his two beautiful and amazing granddaughters. He is also survived by his daughter Erin Southerland, older brother Thomas J. “Tom” Southerland of Fort Lauderdale, younger sister Marion Curell “Manny” Clark (Kenyon) of Connecticut, sister-in-law Sue Southerland of Winter Park, sister-in-law Pattilee (Cafarella) Holland (Bob) of Daytona Beach and his nieces and nephews that he so enjoyed spending time with. Randy is preceded in death by his father “TJ” and his mother Marion, his oldest brother and mentor Robert Curell Southerland and his beloved niece Nicole Danielle (Cafarella) Bernard, both of Winter Park. Special thanks to the entire staff and all the volunteers at Halifax Health Hospice – Orange City for consistently providing such compassionate and professional care for Randy, and emotional support for his family and friends. A celebration honoring his life will be held at a later date per Randy’s request. In lieu of flowers Randy asked that you please consider donating to either the Shriners Hospitals for Children or Disabled American Veterans.

Randal C. Southerland

May 12, 1943 - April 16, 2019