Intelligent, charismatic, witty, generous, passionate.
“A gifted man with an entrepreneurial spirit,” is the way one of Randy’s friends remembered him in a message he left as a condolence during a celebration of Randy’s life in the spring of 2019.
Randy was quick-witted with a natural ability to entertain friends and regale family with his stories. He was very charismatic and engaging – the kind of guy who could have a whole roomful of people doubled over in laughter within moments.
Randy grew up in the Towson area where he excelled in sports, playing lacrosse throughout his childhood and at Towson where he graduated from high school surrounded by a loving family and many friends. He was raised with support from his parents Kelly and step-father Bruce; as well as his father John and step-mother Gail. He was the oldest of five children; including sisters Kate, Noelle and Audrey and a brother Bradley.
Randy attended Salisbury University and pursued a bachelor’s degree in political science. He got a job in the Baltimore area after college where he lived for about four years before moving to Florida where he started a commercial roofing business that was successful enough to allow him to buy two other small businesses (fitness centers).
More than 450 people attended his memorial service. “It was an amazing tribute to him that so many people showed up,” his mother Kelly said.
Randy had a way of making people feel uniquely special. One of his best friends said at his memorial service that the two of them always told each other ‘I love you’ before they said goodbye. There can be no doubt that the greatest love of his life was his young son, Wyatt Randall Bowers.
Kelly feels her son’s spiritual energy since his passing. As the mother of an addict who knows that those suffering from the disease of addiction face only one of two outcomes – recovery or death – she was inspired to co-found a non-profit, Love In The Trenches (LITT), to bring resources and support to families coping with addiction. Its purpose is to change the conversation to lead with love.
“Shame and tough love don’t help,” Kelly said. “This is a disease of the mind, body and spirit.” LITT will work to eliminate the guilt and shame that has long been associated with addiction.
Randy’s mother, Kelly Gill, was interviewed for this profile.
April 29, 1978 – March 9, 2019
Age 40
Lived with addiction 23 years
