Randall Cole Elder's Obituary
Randall "Randy" Cole Elder, 91, of Seminole, formerly of Harbour Side, passed away on Saturday, 7th November, 2020.
Born in Winthrop, MA on 24th February, 1929 to Randall and Margaret Elder, his family (with siblings Grace and Peggy) moved to Florida in 1939.
Randy graduated from Fletcher High School, Jacksonville Beach in 1947; then served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict, returning to graduate from the University of Florida in 1957.
Randy’s working career was in pharmaceutical sales; beginning with Parke Davis Company, and retiring from Mallinckrodt.
The Episcopal Church was important in Randy’s life and he belonged to, and was very active in, his local parish wherever he lived; lastly at St Alban’s St Pete Beach, where he had been a vestry member and senior warden.
Boating was one of Randy’s many interests, and he did not hesitate to give his time to educate other boaters as member and past Commander of the Boca Ciega Power Squadron.
Other loves included foreign travel, the arts, music and singing. While at UF, Randy was a member of the Fightin’ Gator Band, playing the clarinet. He also sang for more than ten years with the Heralds of Harmony in Tampa. He volunteered for many years as an usher at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
Randall was predeceased by his parents, and sister Grace Odom. He is survived by his loving and caring wife of 64 years, Joan McKenzie Elder; and by his sister Margaret "Peggy" Elder of Houston, TX, along with many nieces and nephews and countless friends. Randy loved a good joke, both hearing one and telling one, and his sense of humor will be keenly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Albans Episcopal Church, St Pete Beach.
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