Mitchell Theodore "Ted" Randell

Obituary

M.T. "Ted" Randell, a fourth generation Floridian, died Saturday, February 23rd of Alzheimer's disease. Ted was born Nov. 15, 1924 in Fort Myers to Ruby Vann (Drew) and Redden Wallace Randell. He was predeceased by a sister, Jean and two brothers, Wallace Drew and Redden Ray.

After graduating as president of his senior class from FMHS, Ted entered the U.S. Air Corps during WWII. In 1950 he became a proud alumnus of the U of F with a BSF in Forestry and membership in Phi Delta Theta and "F" club. That same year he married Mary Elizabeth Bunnell. Their golden wedding anniversary was celebrated with renewal of vows at St. Luke's Church in June, 2000, assisted by their children, Elizabeth "Liz" Johnson, III (Mrs. C.L. "Larry") Texas; Wallace Frank Randell, DVM (Renelle) of Tallahassee, and Laura Fair Randell of Fort Myers. Ted is survived by his wife, Mary; children and their families including seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter: Eric Theodore Randell (U of F), Alexander Joseph Randell (FSU), Sarah Rachel and Mia Fair Randell and Justin (Anna) Nishimoto (Tallahassee, FL); C.L. "Charlie" Johnson, IV of Washington, DC.; Randall Ashley Johnson ("Jamie") Knotts and Elizabeth Evelyn Knotts of Texas.

From 1964-1974 Ted served Florida in our State House of Representatives. In 1966, Ted joined a "People to People Tour" behind the "Iron curtain", an experience which heightened his convictions for freedom of worship, thought, and action through voting. Preservation of natural recourses led him to committees on Game & Fresh Water Fish, Fresh Water Management, and Salt Water Conservation. "The Randell Act" (regulation of costal dredge-and-fill projects), participation with committees on DOT, State Institutions, Juvenile & Adult Corrections, Health & Rehabilitative Services, "Physicians Assistant Act", enabling legislation for the College of Veterinary Medicine at U of F and legislation which secured the current site of I-75 through SW Florida as opposed to the east coast were lasting accomplishments.

Ted followed in the footsteps of paternal grandfather, Theodore Randell, who was elected to the FL Constitutional Convention of 1885 which drew up the state's governing document. When the FL Constitutional Revision Commission was organized nearly a century later, grandson, Ted also served in this capacity. Ted was the nephew of Florida's Gov. Cary Augustus Hardee, & Sen. Sidney Archibald Hinely, both of Live Oak, FL.

Locally, Ted was active in real estate and many public service activities: St. Luke's Church, 320 Mason, United Way of Lee Co., City of Fort Myers Planning Council, SW FL Council Boy Scouts of America, life member of National Rifle Association and NRA certified marksman and firearms safety instructor, Agriculture & Stabilization Committee, past president of Cattleman's Association and BUPAC. Hobbies included hunting, antique firearms, "quantitative cooking" and political humor.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, March 8, 2008 at St. Luke's Church, 2635 Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL, 33901, with interment at St. Joseph's Garden at the church. The Randell family wishes to thank the caregivers at Shell Point, Evans Avenue Nursing Home and Hope Hospice for their compassion and gentle care during the past three months. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Luke's Church or Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Arrangements: Kiser Funeral Home.