Randy Johnson
God, family, football, Disney, and fishing. These are things that Randy Johnson loved more than anything and he incorporated all of them into his life and influenced hundreds, if not thousands, as he did so.
Randy Johnson was born February 18, 1962, the middle child of Maurice and Judy Johnson, younger brother to Barry and older brother to sister Lori. Randy’s football career started at a young age while attending Hamilton Southeastern. He filled the running back position and still holds school records. His great attitude, love for the game, and skill earned him a scholarship to Indiana Central where he studied Education. Randy later transferred to Ball State University where he met the love of his life, Betsi, in 1982 at a fraternity party. Betsi remembers, “He asked for my phone number and called me the next day for a date.” Randy and Betsi were married 27 years before his death in December of 2011. They have two daughters, Brenna, and Kali.
Randy’s first teaching position was at Whiting, where he also went in as the head football coach. From Whiting, he then taught business in Danville, and then moved to Bedford North Lawrence as the head football coach. The Bedford North Lawrence position led him to Salem as the Athletic Director. “Randy Johnson was a great athletic director and an even better person. His passion for Salem athletics was second to none. As a coach I truly appreciated his leadership and guidance. His value as the leader of our athletic department was fully recognized after his passing. He set the standard high for all future athletic directors to follow, “stated Hank Weedin, SHS Head Boys Basketball coach. While at Salem, Randy missed coaching the sport he loved. Betsi recalled when Randy asked her if it was okay if he coached again. “He loved coaching. He was meant to coach that last year.” After Randy’s death, his youngest daughter Kali entered her freshman year of college at Trine. She told Betsi that “Daddy wasn’t there to take me.” Betsi responded, “God must have needed a football coach.”
Randy and Betsi took their daughters everywhere they went. In fact, Brenna went to her first track meet when she was nine or ten days old. They also went to every football game that Randy ever coached and inherited their dad’s athletic ability. “The girls have coordination and speed because of Randy”, said Betsi. They also inherited their dad’s love of athletics. Brenna graduated from Indiana University in the field of Elementary Education. She is married with two boys, Jace Thomas and Brooks Randall. Kali graduated from Ball State University and is living and working in Atlanta. Also, just like their parents, Brenna and Kali, always have a smile on their faces and happiness in their hearts because that’s how they were raised.
“Randy loved the school, every school he ever worked at. He loved the school community: working with the teachers and kids. He loved what he did. When you love what you do it makes the rest of your life more fun,” said Betsi.
And Randy liked to have fun. No matter if it was watching NASCAR if it happened to be on, talking to teachers, coaches, and kids, or fishing with his friend Joe England, Randy enjoyed life. “Randy loved his boat. It was his one true relaxation. It didn’t matter if he caught anything, he just truly enjoyed it”, recalls Betsi.
Family vacations were one of the biggest ways Randy, Betsi, Brenna, and Kali had fun. “Vacations were good for us. We could step back from everything and have a lot of fun without all the chaos,” said Betsi. The family favorite vacation destination was Disney World. They tried to go every year. Betsi remembers Randy being a character, especially on vacation. “He would make animal calls at Disney World as he was walking behind the rest of the family.” The family was able to take one last trip to Randy’s beloved Disney World the year he passed away. “Things like this happen for a reason. God has a plan. We may not always understand them,” stated Betsi.
Randy and Betsi understand the power of an education or a certification in a field. “You’ll never regret that education. Take advantage of everything. If you say you can’t afford it; you can’t afford not to. Do something you love. Love what you do: it will create more impact than you can ever imagine,” exclaims Betsi.
Randy would love the scholarship fund started in his honor. You don’t have to be the best student or athlete, but you do have to have the best attitude. That’s Randy. Always smiling. Always willing to lend an ear to a colleague or student. Always there for his family. Looking forward to a fishing trip or a Disney Vacation. Still hitting the gridiron because God needed a football coach.
