William “Randy” Randolph Laffoon

William Randolph “Randy” Laffoon, 76, passed away peacefully at his home in Zionsville, IN on Thursday, October 12^th, 2023.

Randy was born on January 3^rd, 1947, exactly 15 minutes before his twin brother Andy in Madisonville, KY.  His father worked in the coal mines and Randy & Andy were often up to mischief in their rural neighborhood.  They were always together, and it was hard to mention one of them without the other.

Legend has it that Randy and his future wife, Betty Sue, met when they were just two years old.  They met again at Madisonville North Hopkins High School and ended their senior year as King & Queen of the prom.  Following high school, Randy & Betty Sue attended Western Kentucky University and were married in 1968.  They both earned their degrees and graduated a year later in 1969.  After college, Randy & Betty Sue lived in Columbia, SC; Atlanta, GA; and Richmond, VA where their first daughter, Sarah, was born.  They moved back home to Madisonville where they welcomed their second daughter, Mary, and son, Stephen.  The family eventually moved again and settled in Zionsville, IN in 1987. 

Randy had a variety of vocations in his career, typically in the role of manager.  He worked for Allis Chalmers, Mid-America Canning, Coca-Cola, and Chevrolet among many others.  He was always looked up to as a leader. 

Randy’s love of cooking began when he was very young and grew with him.  He always kept his family, friends and co-workers well fed with his special versions of comfort food.  His love language was food, and his signature dish was biscuits and gravy, earning him the title of “Gravy Guy.”  When his family joined Zionsville Presbyterian Church, he found a home for his gift of hospitality in the 36 years he served there.  Randy was the chef for numerous reoccurring events including the All Church Brunch, Second Half Adventurers, and ZPC Men’s Dinner.  He also provided lunch for the children of Noah’s Ark preschool and their staff.  If you ever met Randy, it was probably during a meal that he prepared.  His favorite blessing was “Good God, Good Meat, Lets Eat!!”     

It was at ZPC where Randy introduced his church community to The Great Banquet for Adults and eventually spearheaded the creation of The Awakening for teens.  Over 7000 people have attended a weekend retreat in Zionsville and The Great Banquet has since grown to 35 other communities in the US and even internationally in Brazil.  Randy was a shining example of what God can do through a willing disciple. 

In his final years, Randy enjoyed spending summers at the ballfield watching his grandchildren play softball and baseball.  He was always their biggest supporter and rarely missed a game no matter the distance.  Even there he kept fans happy with candy and treats, specifically blow-pop and tootsie-pop suckers.   

He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn; father, Leon; sister, Nancy; twin brother, Andy; niece, Lora and nephew, Patrick. 

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty Sue; children, Sarah, Mary and Stephen (wife Kristyn); grandchildren, Megan and Brandon; in-laws, Diana Laffoon, Sonny and Sandy Pollock, Bill and Barbara Ann Rudd; and many nieces and nephews.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Services to be held at 3pm on Tuesday, October 24^th at Zionsville Presbyterian Church.   Visitation will be from 1pm until the service begins at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Randy’s memory to the Great Banquet. 

https://zpchurch.churchcenter.com/giving/to/great-banquet

Services have been entrusted to Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Care of Zionsville.