Local fitness expert Andy Tucker strains to lift more than 400 pounds of dead weight multiple times at The Club. The Good Shepherd Lutheran School family is missing one of its most beloved members, Randy Halsall, who died Aug. 21 after a valiant battle against cancer and lymphedema.

Halsall volunteered at the school for the last six years of his life. Though his life has ended, Halsall’s impact on the staff and students continues to be felt as a memorial fund in his name is being used to improve the quality of physical education at the school.

“Randy wanted to give a living gift instead of a memorial to Good Shepherd,” said his widow, Leslie Halsall.

Per his wishes, Halsall’s family and friends have organized the Randy Halsall Memorial Fund to benefit physical education at Good Shepherd.

Good Shepherd, which began the Presidential Fitness Program last year, already has improved its physical education program and has big plans for the future.

After his 15th lift, Tucker collapses to the floor in utter exhaustion. The 405 pounds is twice his body weight. “We have already put in a track and a long-jump pit,” said physical education teacher Dave Matthews.

The school plans to use the rest of the funds to purchase soccer equipment, enhance the long-jump pit and construct pull-up bars, among other things.

Halsall, a former professional football player, felt that physical education was important for building well-rounded, confident people. On Friday, Oct. 9, the fund received a $1,587 donation from Andy Tucker, owner of Acceleration Fitness and one of Halsall’s close friends. Tucker met with Leslie Halsall and several members of the Good Shepherd staff at The Club to present them with the donation.

Tucker, in Halsall’s honor, campaigned and secured sponsors for a weightlifting fundraiser. He dead-lifted 405 pounds, twice his body weight, as many times as he could. With each consecutive rep, Tucker raised more money for the memorial fund.

Photos by Joe Culpepper/GBN Tucker lies flat on his back trying to catch his breath moments after his lifts. He raised more than $1,500. “Weightlifting was Randy’s passion,” Tucker explained. “I thought this was the best, most fitting way to honor his life.”

Tucker completed 15 reps that garnered over $1,500. He said he felt as though Randy’s spirit was there helping him continue beyond his expectations.

“I was just hoping to get the weight up seven or eight times,” Tucker said. “Once I got to 10 and beyond, I felt like Randy was there helping me.”

Halsall, who was born in Toronto, Canada, was an athlete throughout his life. He attended Wake Forest University, where as a freshman he was a part of the 1970 ACC Championship football team.

Submitted photo Randy Halsall led Wake Forest to the 1970 ACC football championship. Following his college career, Halsall was selected by the Toronto Argonauts as the first overall pick in the 1974 Canadian Football League Draft.

During his career in the CFL, Halsall even had the opportunity to play in the Grey Cup.

He used his athletic talents to find success in life as a personal trainer and body builder after his playing days ended.

Halsall lived in a way that he was always mindful of his own physical fitness; call it an old habit of a former football player. Leslie described The Club, where Randy worked out, as “his home away from home.”

Only Halsall’s commitment to his family went beyond his commitment to fitness. In addition to his wife, Halsall leaves behind son Randall, and daughters Jennifer Wilson and Andie Boyd.

Scott Page/Gulf Breeze News Andy Tucker (white shirt) presents a check to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pastor Rory Hermann. The two were joined at the presentation by Leslie Halsall (left), Good Shepherd physical education teacher Dave Matthews (rear) and principal Connie Omelian (right). “Randy’s commitment to his two daughters and his son was amazing. His motto in life was ‘Go heavy or go home,’ and he would always preach that to them,” Leslie said. “It wasn’t just about weightlifting. It’s about giving everything you have and doing everything to the best of your ability.”

In 2006, Halsall was diagnosed with cancer and lymphedema, and that motto took center stage in his life.

“The doctors only gave him six to 18 months to live,” Leslie said. “His attitude was basically to just not act like anything was wrong and continue living life.

“He just simply said, ‘I’m going to win. I’m going to beat it.’”

Halsall’s attitude and his continued commitment to physical fitness allowed him to extend his life well beyond the medical expectations.

“The doctors noticed that working out helped him keep his strength up,” Leslie recalled. “They also said it even helped with the chemotherapy.”

Halsall impacted and inspired all who were close to him; especially by the faith and determination he showed during his battle with his health.

“He was a very spiritual man,” said Rory Hermann, Good Shepherd pastor. “I could see it when I first met him. He maintained his faith and spirit, even as his health went downhill quickly.”

During his final years, Halsall remained committed to volunteering at Good Shepherd.

“I only met him twice, but I could tell that it took a lot out of him to come out and help us with our Presidential Fitness Program,” Matthews said. “But he never let it show. He came out and motivated the kids, and always had a smile on his face.”

Tucker recalled that Halsall’s commitment to the gym also never slacked.

“During his fight, he was still in here working out with a smile,” Tucker said. “He never gave up.

“He had an IV in his arm, but was still lifting. He’s really become an inspiration to me, in addition to being my friend.”