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Randy was loved for his lifelong passion for art and enthusiasm for all life. He was born in Macon, Georgia on October 4, 1951, the younger son of Jack and Wessie Mae Harelson. He was raised, after age 7, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he attended LaSalle Elementary School, the LSU University Laboratory School (Class of 1969) and LSU, where he received a BS in Art Education. In 1973 he moved to Rhode Island to teach art in an innovative “integrated arts in education” program in Attleboro Public Schools and soon immersed himself by serving in other projects and interests including as Exhibit Designer for the Providence Children’s’ Museum and as the lead performer in the kids’ TV show, “All Amaze”. A gardener since childhood, his growing interest in horticulture led him to study at Harvard University’s renowned Arnold Arboretum and to serve as the Assistant Horticulturist for the Blithewold Mansion and Gardens and Arboretum, a 37acre property on Narragansett Bay. Randy later moved to the new community of Seaside, Florida where he opened and managed the Gourd Garden and Curiosity Shop, a nursery and landscape design business which received the S.J. Blakely Award in 2003. He later opened a second shop, the Courtyard, in nearby Rosemary Beach. After the death of his mother in 2006 Randy and his partner, Richard Gibbs, discovered the circa 1800 LeJeune House in New Roads, Louisiana, on what remains of the former 500-acre plantation upon which the town of New Roads was originally formed, and upon which he planted his own arboretum of well-chosen trees and other plants, all documented to have been in Louisiana by 1860. Throughout his life, in addition to his love of horticulture, Randy’s interests were many and varied and would come to include the authorship of 9 published books, at least 4 of which are notable children’s books, including “Amazing Days” and “The Bandanna Book”. He also coauthored and collaborated on multiple other books, notably with eminent photographer Richard Sexton, including “New Roads and Old Rivers” (with Brian Costello), and “Terra Incognita”. Among his many other accomplishments, Randy was active since 2010 as a member, board member and president of the Southern Garden History Society, which fosters and shares research about historic southern gardens, cultural landscapes, and horticultural history. He was instrumental in the continuing mission of the LSU Hilltop Arboretum as a unique educational and cultural facility. He coordinated with LSU Libraries Special Collections on the creation of “Louisiana’s Natural Treasure” an exhibition of selected paintings of Louisiana’s native flora by internationally known Australian naturalist and botanical artist Margaret Stones. Randy was an advocate for the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation as well as for the restoration of the historic Rosedown Plantation Gardens. He wrote a successful grant for the restoration of the oldest continuingly operational Quaker meeting house in America, located in East Sandwich, Massachusetts, where Randy and Richard have maintained a summer home for many years. Though he grew up in the United Methodist Church, Randy had been a Quaker for the last several years, which is unsurprising to those who knew him well. Randy was a peaceful and loving person whose respect for life is reflected in his many interests, including as a part-time DJ for a local Florida radio station. Some think he cared as much for animals as people, a belief underscored by his 50+ years of vegetarianism. He was a kind and creative soul, spending countless hours sharing unique cards, letters, and music collections with his many and varied friends. With Richard and friends, he traveled worldwide, including many trips to South America and a memorable trip to India. He always followed his bliss, and many were influenced by his joy, having been elevated by his boundless spirit, energy, and deep love of others. Randy was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Clint. He is survived by his lifelong partner, Richard Gibbs, cousins Kay Parnell of Baton Rouge and Quinton Brown of Alabama, his dear friend Margo Eglin, plus hundreds of other friends, creative associates, fellow dreamers and humans and animals of all stripes. He held us all “in the light”. Randy was genuinely grateful for the care he received from his medical team, especially doctors Glenn Hanna, Mark Awad, Christopher McCanless, David Carver, and Gerald Miletello. Funeral arrangements will be managed by Rabenhorst Funeral Home in Baton Rouge. A graveside service was administered by Rev. Chris Andrews on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Roselawn Cemetery in Baton Rouge. A celebration of Randy’s life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on the lawn of the LeJeune House, 507 E. Main St., New Roads. Donations in Randy’s honor may be made to the Southern Garden History Society, P.O. Box 631, New Roads, LA 70760, or southerngardenhistory.org .
