Randolph "Randy" Doby, Jr.

Randolph “Randy” Doby Jr., Orange Park, FL passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at the age of 73. Born in Jacksonville, FL to Randolph, Sr. and Constance Doby, Randy moved with his family to Milwaukee, WI around the age of two where he resided until he graduated from Rufus King High School. Shortly after graduating from High School, He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he served his country during the Vietnam war and received several service medals and badges. Randy and his service unit were also the subject of a book about their time in Vietnam called “Bloods” by author Wallace Terry. He was honorably discharged in 1971 for health reasons.

Randy was a man of faith and grew up attending St. Matthews Methodist Church in Milwaukee, and later Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Lansing, MI, and Gospel Life Baptist Church in Detroit MI.

While in the service he met his first wife, Mary Frances Thornton of Detroit, MI. They started their friendship as pen pals, then began dating in1968. In 1969, they were engaged and Randy relocated to Detroit. They were married on July 11,1970 and on October 24, 1971, their lives were blessed with the surprise birth of their identical twin daughters, Tyese and Nikki.
Randy began his career working for the State of Michigan in the Department of Labor, his increasing job responsibilities lead him to relocate to Lansing, MI ,where he worked closely with Govenor James Blanchard. In July 1977 he met his second wife, Joann Adams. They were married on October 7, 1978, and to this union was born two more children, Damany and DiArra. They were married for 23 years.

Randy retired from the State of Michigan in May 1997 after serving in various managerial positions. Following this retirement, he continued to work in the field of Labor and Employment development at Focus Hope, a Detroit-based organization whose goal is to overcome racism and poverty through education and training. Following his tenure at Focus Hope, Randy and his then wife Kristi Moore relocated to Jacksonville, FL.

Randy spent his latter years attending and serving faithfully at Unity Church of Jacksonville with his wife Deborah McDuffie. He also spent countless hours serving as President and Volunteer of the Orange Park Medical Center Auxillary. He was still an active volunteer at the time of his death.
Randy had a love of life, his family, friends, movies and music. He was a man of many interests, and an avid collector. He was especially proud of his record, movie and comic book collections. He also had a special affection for Jazz music, Star Wars films and yes, the Tasmanian Devil.
He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Constance Doby; four children; Tyese Doby, Nikki Doby, Damany Doby, and DiArra Doby (fiance Cory); affectionally known as “Grandy” to his grandchildren; Nikole, Tylan, Jalen, Kaiya, Jaydon, Saraiyah, & Damany, Jr. “DJ”; one great grandson, Josiah; four siblings; Gregory (Linda), Rhonda, Richard (Sherry), Russell (Jane); one uncle Franz (Cora) and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Randolph Doby, Sr.

The Doby family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 12:00 noon and a  memorial service with military honors will be held 12:30 p.m. at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, Florida 32073, (904) 264-1233.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the American  Diabetes Association. Click here to make a donation.

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