RIP: Randy Shambaugh

One of the first people I met when I became active in Marion County Republican politics was Randy Shambaugh of Wayne Township.  A few years older than me, Randy had very strongly held conservative beliefs and believed in public service.  A fan of Ronald Reagan, Randy was elected to the Speedway Town Council in 1987 and went on to be elected to the Indanapolis City-County Council in 1991 and 1995. 

Over the years, I had a few conversations with Randy.  He was always a gentleman, someone easy to talk to and pleasant to be around. Randy was adamant that he thought the Marion County Republican Party should be about promoting conservative values.  When I remember those conversations today, I am reminded how far the local GOP leadership has gotten from those values and principles that motivate people to be active in the party.  Randy untiringly stood for those values and principles.

Randy early on contracted Huntington's Disease, which unfortunately cut short his promising political career  I hadn't seen him in awhile and was saddened to see his obituary in the newspaper yesterday.  He will be missed:

Randy Jackson Shambaugh

53, of Speedway, IN, passed away from complications after a long battle with Huntington's Disease Sunday, July 17, 2011. He was born December 23, 1957 in Indianapolis, IN to the late JoAnn and Monte Shambaugh… and so his love for politics began.

Randy was an active member of the Marion County Republican Party throughout his life. He was a member of the "Young Republican's" early on and served as a precinct committeeman until 2008. In 1987 he became the youngest person elected to the Speedway Town Council and served the Town for 4 years before winning election to the City-County Council in 1991 and re-election in 1995. Randy served as chairman of the Parks & Recreation Committee where they named the Randy Shambaugh Baseball Park after him. He was instrumental in the development of Victory Field and served as liaison between the Capital Improvement Board & Indianapolis Indians.

Randy was employed by Hendricks County Engineering where he worked as an inspector and draftsman before retiring in 1998.

Randy was an active member of the Huntington's Disease Society of America, Indiana Chapter, serving as vice president of the board & trustee. Besides Randy's love for politics and President Ronald Reagan, he was an avid hunter, loved racing, the band KISS, his St. Louis Cardinals and beloved Collies.

He is survived by his wife Linda; son, Wesley Jackson, step-mother Linda, brother Mark; sister, Diane (Mike) Cope, step-brother Aaron (Jennifer) Baute and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center - Speedway from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 20th with funeral services held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 21st at the funeral center. Burial will follow in Lincoln Memory Gardens, Whitestown, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to the IU Foundation at the IU School of Medicine, c/o IU Foundation, P.O. Box 660245. Please indicate in memory of Randy Shambaugh.

http://www.flannerbuchanan.com/

Published in the The Indianapolis Star on July 19, 2011