Randolph "Randy" I. Bayly

Randy Bayly, 67, of Lafayette, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at his home.

He was born on April 6, 1958, in Madison, WI and grew up Superior, WI where he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Pearl Falstad, whom he always called “Mom.” In 1968, Randy moved to Columbus, Indiana to live with a foster family after his grandmother’s death. He graduated from Columbus North High School in 1976. While in high school, Randy received many awards and prizes for his art works in ceramics and drawing.

Randy attended Ball State for 3 years, then left school to marry his high school sweetheart, Nancy Bayly Mussler, though they later divorced. They made their home in Rensselaer, where his sons Bryan and Tyler were born. For ten years Randy owned and operated his own photography studio in Rensselaer.

Randy decided to pursue his teaching degree, and attended Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was then hired to teach at Harrison High School in West Lafayette in 1996. There he taught a variety of art classes, with photography being his specialty. He led the transition from film photography to digital, and taught the A.P. Art classes for several years. He also had coached the boys’ tennis teams.

While at Harrison, Randy and Tracy, who was already teaching there, became friends and eventually fell in love. They married in 2000. He retired from teaching in 2015.

Randy was wonderfully creative and would read and research how to master a new skill, and teach himself how to do it, such as airbrushing lures and woodworking. Randy was also a talented athlete. He placed in the top 500 participants in his age group in the Indy 500 Mini

Marathon, and competed in several other marathons in his younger days. He was a talented golfer, usually scoring under 80, and had 4 holes-in-ones over the years. More than anything else, Randy’s dedication and love for his wife Tracy and his sons Bryan and Tyler were first and foremost in his life.

Randy was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Pearl and Iver Falstad, and his siblings Candace Bayly Pauley and Michael Bayly.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Tracy Bayly (Lafayette, IN), his sons Bryan A. Bayly (Indianapolis) and Tyler C. Bayly (Mount Laurel, NJ), his brother-in-law Peter Pauley (Jo), his foster sister Tina Fitch (Rick) and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 PM, at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East, located at 10722 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46229.

Following the service, burial will take place at Washington Park East Cemetery, 10612 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46229.