Randall David Warren

Randall Warren, 60, of Green Cove Springs, passed away September 11, 2019. He was born in Jacksonville on November 15, 1958. Randy graduated from Bishop Kenny High School and received his B.S. in Education from The University of Tennessee at Martin where he played offensive tackle. He met his wife, Anne Warren at Orange Park High School where they started the dropout prevention program. They were later married October 12, 2001. Randy started the athletic program as Director when Fleming Island High School opened in 2003. In June 2017, he retired as a teacher and Athletic Director. Before coming to Fleming Island, Warren was the Athletic Director at Orange Park High from 1999-2003. Warren served Clay county schools for 28 years after working for six years with Bishop Kenny High and UT-Martin in Tennessee for a total of 34 years all together.

In an article published on Jacksonville.com on June 28, 2017 (https://www.jacksonville.com/clay/2017-06-28/fleming-island-ad-warren-steps-down) several colleagues commented on Randy’s work ethic and long-standing career. "He (Warren) was a hard worker,” (Jim) Taylor said. “No. 1, he put the kids first. He also did that as a teacher and a coach. He taught math and it was important to him. He didn’t just go through motions. He started helping me out and I could tell when I was getting ready to leave that he would be the one to take over.”

Warren also said he learned a lot from Sam Ward, the former principal at Orange Park High and Fleming Island High and current Fleming Island High principal Tom Pittman. Pittman described Warren as loyal and hard-working. “When you think of Fleming Island High School you can say refer to Randy Warren as Mr. Fleming Island High School,” Pittman said. “Anytime there was an athletic event, he was there over the past 14 years. The biggest thing he wanted was what was best for the students. He was loyal to me in the five years that I’ve been principal and the previous nine years with Mr. (Sam) Ward. He always kept me in the know. He was a great employee”

Frank Pontore, the coach of the state champion Fleming Island High boys soccer team, worked with Warren at both Orange Park and FIeming Island high schools. Pontore said Warren was influential in his leaving Orange Park High to join Fleming Island High. He praised Warren’s work ethic. “I’ve never seen a man who worked so hard to build this program at Fleming Island High School,” Pontore said. “He did everything he could possibly do to make this program a success and the results speak for themselves. He was also there putting the extra time in. It didn’t matter which sport. He would tutor after school to help kids out if they were athletes or non- athletes. Randy was always there for the school. He was a die-hard supporter.”

Randy was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Brookshire, and his brother Mitchell. He is survived by wife Anne Warren; his mother, Mary Lee West Warren; sister, Cindy Mason; brothers, Timothy and Chris and step-daughter, Lana Champion (Richard), step-son, George Titshaw, step-grandson Colton Champion, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Fleming Island High School (cafeteria), 2233 Village Square Parkway, Fleming Island, Florida, 32003 with a Visitation for the family and friends from 10am-11am and a Service at 11am with luncheon following. Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Call 1-800-822-6344, Memorial ID # 11746862. Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Rivermead, 127 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, FL 32073.