John Randolph (Randy) Garr's Obituary
John Randolph (Randy) Garr, 61, passed away unexpectedly on July 30, 2021.
Though he was taken from this world, his heart and love for sports will be long remembered. You may have known him as Randy, but in his youth, they called him Star Garr. A multi-sport letterman in high school, he lit up the tennis and basketball courts and for years held the record for longest field goal at Culpeper High School. He went on to play both tennis and basketball at Bridgewater College. Beyond his college years, Randy remained an avid athlete, competing in and winning multiple regional tennis tournaments.
Possessing a fervent and fiery fandom for the Wahoos and Washington Football Team, Randy channeled his love for sports in his post-playing days into a new passion: coaching. He held assistant coaching positions in football and basketball at his alma-mater Culpeper High School and served as the head basketball coach at Chancellor High School. But his most significant successes were found as the head tennis coach at Riverbend and Chancellor, where his teams won multiple district and regional championships and a state title.
However, his impact on youths’ lives went beyond the lines of a playing field or court. Coach Garr was also Mr. Garr, a teacher of physical education for over 30 years at numerous schools throughout Virginia.
While he was a star in the world of athletics, his greatest accomplishment was being the proud father to his only beloved son, Evan. Conversing daily on tennis, the ups and downs of Cavalier athletics, and the ups and downs of life, Evan and his pops were more than family. They were friends.
Randy is also survived by his cherished mother, June; his sisters, Lynne and Ren; and many, many loved nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert; his brother, Bobby; and his sister, Kim.
His commitment to his students and players and to his family will be missed. Rest easy, Star Garr.
Randy’s family will hold a private service celebrating Randy’s life at a later date.
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