Rand S. Herron

Gainesville - Rand S. Herron, our beloved brother, age 63, died on September 25, 2023, from complications of quadriplegia.

Rand was born on October 3, 1959, in Lake Worth, Florida to Robert G. Herron, Jr., and Joyce Ann W. Herron Follador. He was the youngest son and fifth child of six.

Rand grew up in Palm Beach County where he attended elementary and high school. During his boyhood, Rand was a talented athlete; he loved baseball and played as an all-star in Little League. His passion had always been baseball, but as he matured, he became interested in art and photography. Rand was a self-taught musician and dabbled in local amateur bands with friends. He had a passion for music and loved to sing and harmonize with his family.

At age 17, on July 10, 1977, soon after his high-school graduation from Dibacco School, and while employed by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Rand was nearly killed and severely injured when he broke his neck in a diving accident. As a result, Rand became a quadriplegic and was confined to a wheelchair. He persevered through six months of painful treatment and rehabilitation in Georgia, then returned to live with his family in Lake Worth.

Rand eventually returned to work for PBCSO at various positions as law enforcement support staff. Although law enforcement work was not his original life dream, he was invested wholeheartedly in his work. Rand made life-long friends that he loved, and cherished many work experiences and challenges. He was tremendously proud of his work as a PBCSO employee until he retired in the mid- to late '90s.

Rand spent the remainder of his life pursuing varied intellectual interests. He was an advocate of many social causes and was engaged in political news and global issues. Rand had a keen mind; he loved to read and study subjects like physics, astronomy, photography, and art. He had great interest in military ships and aircraft. Rand was a mental traveler, through books and music. Although his fingers were paralyzed, Rand continued to study painting and to adapt his severe physical disability to create art using various computer programs. He loved computer gaming and had a particular interest in the creation of applications.

Rand had a wonderful sense of humor along with an ironic view of life that helped him to face the daily obstacles of life as a quadriplegic. Rand was well care for and well-loved by his family, and although we are grateful his pain and suffering are at an end, he will be terribly missed.

Rand is survived by his brothers, Robb (Paula), and Kelly (Kim); his sisters, Lory (Lynn) Kirby, and Genna (Peter) Saxe; his nephews, Joshua (Brooke) Herron, and Cameron Potter; his nieces, Shauna Lewis, and Carley (Dan) Kozan. He is also survived by his great-nephews, James Kozan, and Jayden Lewis, and his great-nieces, Monet Herron, and Mila Kozan. He is predeceased by both of his parents, his stepfather, Raymond Follador; his sister, Holly Herron, and his nephew, Tyler Herron.

The family is so grateful to Rand's nurse and friend, Cole Tolbert, for his loving care and dedication all these years. We are also especially thankful to Genna and Peter for your sacrifice and care over the last several years.

A memorial will be held in October 2024, by invitation. Arrangements by Neptune Society, Gainesville, Georgia. We request any desired donations be made to www.GAELO.org - Georgia for End-of-Life Options, or Shepherd Center Foundation at www.foundation.shepherd.org. Leave sympathy messages at Legacy.com.