of Greenbrier, AR
March 20, 1959 - May 22, 2023
Randy Tapley, 64, of Greenbrier left for his heavenly home on May 22, 2023. He was born March 20, 1959 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Jackie Verser Tapley and Cedric Junior Tapley. Randy was best known as a loving dad, husband, coach and friend, but his favorite title was Tap Tap. In his younger years, he was an outstanding athlete, playing football and rodeoing. Randy enjoyed golf, football, watching all his grandson's rodeo and sporting events and his newest hobby of doting on his only granddaughter, Teal Raeleigh. He was a member of Martinville Church of Christ. Randy was an educator at Greenbrier Schools for 36 years, coaching football and teaching Special Education. He is preceded in death by his father, Junior Tapley.
Randy is survived by his wife of 18 years, Kelly Tapley; children, Kaki (Chaney) Miller, Jade (Justin) Spotts and Sam Harris; grandchildren, Teal Raeleigh, Pace, Conn and Hutch; mother, Jackie Tapley; brother, Jay Tapley; stepmother, Jan Tapley and a host of family, students and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Greenbrier Junior High Gymnasium. Funeral Services will begin Friday, May 26, 2023 at 11:00am at Robinson and Center Church of Christ in Conway, Arkansas. Graveside will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Greenbrier, Arkansas.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greenbrier High School, to the Randy Tapley Memorial Fund, to support Greenbrier students with special needs.
randy was my teacher for maney years im lucas roland williams
So sorry to hear about Randy's passing. He was well respected and loved by many. I idolized him when I began my football career. He will be greatly missed. My condolences and deepest sympathy to Kelly and all the family.
My prayers are with you Kelly and your family. You have my deeply sympathy for you all. Love you! â¤ï¸
Randy and I were friends early in life. Rest in Peace Randy....
My condolences to Kelly and the family in this time of sorrow.
Family, what a beautiful tribute to Randy at the service. He touched so many lives and his memory will last forever.
I am truly honored to say he was my friend. Way back in school he and I became close friends and those memories will always be held dear to me. So thankful for being able to catch up with him the last few years at the rodeos. He never failed to give me a hug and call me “Turkâ€.
I’ll see you again one day soon!
I am so sorry. Love you guys and praying for you in the coming days as you all find your way.
Prayers being sent to all of you ‼ï¸ðŸ™
Enjoyed working with Randy & being harassed by what time I got to work‼ï¸ðŸ˜‚🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸ The kids loved him & faculty &… WELL, Everyone ‼ï¸
What a Legacy & Blessing ‼ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ˜‡ðŸ˜‡ðŸ˜‡â¤ï¸
He was my teacher coach and was always a great encourager.He always stressed fun an enjoyment over winning. He taught me to always give my best effort. He was a wonderful human being and my prayers go out to his family. Greenbrier Panthers an the community will always remember him. Rest in peace coach Tap.
Randy was such a wonderful inspiration to many children that flowed through the halls of Greenbrier Schools. He was and remains one of the good ones. So sorry for your loss.
As you can see by all the kind words Randy was a very special person. Randy and were friends for 43 years although we rarely got to see one another. When our paths did cross it was always a great time catching up on our l lives. We met at the High School Rodeo Finals in Conway in 1975. We were both fortunate that year to qualify for the National High School Rodeo Finals in Gallup. New Mexico representing our great state of Arkansas. Randy was a fierce competitor and a gentleman. He will no doubt missed by his many friends and family. But for Randy death is not final we as Christians will all see him again in Glory. That will be a glorious time and oh the catching up we will do then.
"It was once said that a man's wealth is determined by how much he was Loved I think we can all say that our dear friend was a mighty wealthy man"!! Love you man!!
We always enjoyed talking to Randy when we saw him at rodeos and other places. Sending love, thoughts and prayers to all the family.
We were all blessed to know a great man. Prayers to the family
RIP to our buddy for many years.
No other football coach has made more of an impact on my life than coach Tap!
i sure did love him and am so sorry about this. my condolences go out to his family
Gonna miss ya coach u was my favorite teacher it’s sad to hear the news ur gonna be missed very much coach sending prayers to ur family
Jackie my heart goes out to you and your family. Much love and prayers.
coach talley, you’re gonna be missed by many!! you were the best teacher and supporter throughout my high school years! i was just thinking about you the other day and knew you’d give me so much crap for having 3 kids because i’ve always said i wasn’t gonna have any and you knew that was a lie! i can’t believe this is true!
I am here for you as you go through this sad time . So sorry for your loss .Randy was a sweet,Special, man and he so be missed. Our Prayers and thoughts will be with you and We Love you all so very much .God be with you I’d my prayer ðŸ™ðŸ»â™¥ï¸
I saw that Coach Tap passed and you have my deepest condolences and prayers. In summer ‘82, we moved to Greenbrier and I tried out for 7th grade football team. I think that was Coach Taps first year at Greenbrier and he taught me a bunch about football and life. Because of him and Coach Mazz being a part of my life for the next 5 years, I received an athletic training scholarship to ASU and was scholar athlete my senior year. I did give him a call several years ago to say thanks for instilling in me the notion to give your best at everything you do and never quit. From 19-29 I’d made bad decisions but thanks to God for his help in many things including helping to recall Coach Taps just do your best lesson, life turned around and I finished my MS and PhD and was hired by USFWS at the age of 34. So I called Coach Tap to say thanks and I could hear him smiling over the phone.
Seven years ago, my wife of 15 years passed after a year of battling breast cancer. Having walked through a similar valley, I can imagine how hard this is for you. The words that helped me that have proved true over the last seven years are found in Romans 8:28, Phil 1:21, 1 Thess 4:13-18, 1 Cor 15:54, Psalm 145:13. Romans 8:37-39
Jesus does know how you feel and how I felt. He lived through it too. Jesus told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.†Mark 14:34
God loves you and will keep his promises and sometimes they are fulfilled here and sometimes in heaven.
One moment at a time, one hour at a time. ðŸ™â¤ï¸
A few more fond memories, I’d like to share.
One time when I was in 11th grade, he and I were standing outside of the field house and I made the mistake of telling him he was wrong about something and poking him in the chest as I did it. He snatched my finger and bent it back like some kung fu master and I was instantly on the ground. He just had that big smile and said “don’t poke me Rauschenberger.†My finger is still mad at me about that one.
Another time during the first dance of home coming I was break dancing and busted my chin. I went back to field house and he was there. “Geez, Rauschenberger†was about all he said. Then he grabbed some butterfly bandages from the training room but before he patched me up, he sprayed that red antiseptic that burned like gasoline. He smiled and laughed.
Then there was his whistle drills during track season. Again, he was smiling.
And one time during halftime at a particularly challenging junior high football road game, when it was just him and me alone and we were trying to fix some piece of equipment that one of the kids broke, he said something like, “Rauschenberger, if you become a football coach, I’ll shoot you.’ He wasn’t smiling at that time.
But like always, just before the second half started he told those kids to do their best and have fun, playing football. Enjoy the moment and don’t kill fun by stressing over outcome.
For me to remember all this 30+ years later, means he made quite an imprint on me, as he did countless others.
I am so sorry for your lost of Randy. He was very special person and meant so much to the Greenbrier School District. He always cared for this students and the football players. What a good heart he had and he will surely be missed. Kelly, you and the family will be in my prayers
Kaki, We are sorry to hear about your loss. We are covering you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Kelly, Kaki and family,
I am so very sad to hear of Randy’s passing. Bring his neighbor for so many years, I had the pleasure of watching him play pitch with Kaki in the back yard, etc… to playing with his grandchildren. Kelly and Randy ritually walked the neighborhood every evening. I insured their new boat and had fun with Kelly and Randy on the lake. Randy was loved by many and was a big family man. He will be extremely missed. Prayers for the family.
Kelly I'm so sorry for your lost . Praying for you and your kids
Rest in peace Coach Tap. He taught me much about life. You will b missed. Prayers for the family.
SO sorry about Randy's passing he was a good man
Was a long time Friend, I am so sorry, Prayers
Our hearts are sadden for the Tapley Family this day.
I remember Tap Tap as an outstanding athlete!
But this community and I will always remember him as an outstanding man! A man with a heart that cared for others!
Our love and prayers go to each one of Tap Tap's family!
God bless you all,
Hal Jr. & Deb Garrett â¤
ðŸˆ
Randy was always a great friend in school and after. He will be missed greatly by many. Prayers for the family
Randy will now rest in peace. We are so grateful for the guidance he gave to so many young people, especially our sons.
I’m so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I love and miss you all!
So sorry for your loss. We have such fond memories of Randy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.
Charlotte and Grahl Phillips
My heart , thoughts , & prayers go out to you all. I watched you grow up at rodeos and into a husband, father and mighty granddad. I will forever remember that gorgeous smile, and now you will join Junior in Glory until we all meet again!
Love to each one of you and particularly Kelly, Kaki and little miss!!
prayers for the tapley family, so sorry for your loss
My heart bleeds for you, Kelly and the rest of Randy’s Family. He was a kind and considerate man. As a younger man, I was always in awe of his speed and athletic ability. He was a cool coach and so good with all the kids in school. I remember talking to him about Special Education. He was wise. You are in my thoughts and prayers. As this next year will be a hard one, cling to the loving memories that you will always have.
Coach was an amazing man who set the standard of what character really is. I’m honored to have played for him and to have learned from him. He will be missed dearly.
Kelly and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Randy.. just a all around good guy who will be missed.. we will continue to pray for you all during this difficult time!!
Jan, Kaki, and Sheila. I’m so sorry for Randy’s passing. I was around Randy many years ago and he was a great man. I know this is a very hard time for you all. I know that the Lord has you all wrapped in His arms and give you comfort. Plus knowing that Randy and Junior are both together again is comforting. Rest easy Randy.
Randy was a great guy and a great friend, Prayers for his family during this very difficult time.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Randy. Our whole class loved him!!! He was always friendly and smiling and loved his family so much. Prayers for all of you!
Kelly, Randy and I had played baseball and football with and against each other all through school in Heber Springs. Yes, a lot of eople lost a very good man and I hope and pray that you and the family heal timely for your loss. We were close years ago. So sorry.
Randy was a great man. Blessed to have shared many times following our grand boys adventures. Gonna miss having Tap Tap on the fence at rodeos an ball games. He had an influence on so many people and what a legacy. Continued prayers for the family.
We are so sorry for your loss. We are praying for all the family during this heartbreaking time. Coach Wallace and Beverly
Randy will definitely be missed by his family & friends but also the community he lived in. He was a good person whom many young boys admired as they were growing up and watching Coach Tap. To Kelly & Kaki - please allow God to wrap His arms around each of you & your families while you're suffering & in the days ahead! Prayers for all of you!
Prayers for all of the Family!
Gonna miss you FRIEND! If this World was full of people like TAP it would be a much better place.. Forever in Our Hearts !
Darrin, Dee, Crash, KB
So sorry for your loss. Praying for your family.
Jerry & I are truly sorry for your loss. Jerry and Randy shared a special trip floating the Buffalo years ago with a group of buddies. Something that Jerry said he would never forget. Best time! We were like you and others praying for complete healing and recovery, we are praying for all of you, we support you, we Love you, and we know that all of you and the Community of Greenbrier will never be the same without Randy. God be with you every second.
Prayers for the Tapley family.
Blessings to all of the Tapley family. Coach Tap was an inspiration to me and he will be missed.
We are very sorry to hear this sad news. Coach Tap was the best! Such a fun loving kind man. May he rest in peace. Sending prayers of love and comfort to the family.
So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers for the family!!!
May the Lord watch over and take care of the Tapley Family and my friend let’s always run 50 go .
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. May God hold and comfort you.
I am sad to hear about Randy’s passing. I haven’t seen him in years, but he was always so nice. Prayers for peace and comfort.
Sending prayers, love, and hugs to you all. Condolences ðŸ™ðŸ½
He was a good man. Prayers for the family.
So sorry to hear of Randy passing, my prayers or with the family at this time. I always enjoyed catching up on conversations when I would run into him we played a lot ball against each other. Till I see you again my friend .
We are so sorry for the loss of your Tap Tap. We know that loss leaves a hole in your heart and life. May God wrap his arms around each of you and give you love and comfort.
So sorry for your loss!Knew Randy for a long time. He will be missed. God bless his family!
Kelly and family prayers for you all.
I remember Randy back in our elementary school days at Heber Springs. He was a very nice person and always had a great smile. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers of comfort and peace for all of his family.
Randy was a good friend and an awesome coach. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. We will miss him.
Prayers for all the Tapley Family as you go thru this time sorrow. Randy was a very nice person, always a smile.
Praying for you all. Very sorry for your loss.
Deena Hartsfield
So sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. He will definitely be missed by all that knew him. He was the best coach and teacher, and I will miss seeing him around. May God bless you & give you the strength & comfort you need, and continued prayers for you & the family!
So sorry to hear of this great loss I pray for the family to deal with these trying times. Cheryl Sager just let me know of this sorrowful time. We had a great group of leaders who graduated in 1977 and the respect that Randy had then till now was awe inspiring. Randy will be missed but his presence will not be forgotten. I am proud to witness Randy’s abilities but guessing not as proud as his family and neighbors who knew him every day. Again, I pray for the family and appreciate what I know Randy did for family and friends. Tim K
One the nicest, kindest, most genuine man I’ve ever known. We will miss you Tap.
Prayers to the family we will be missed
Coach Tap was an amazing man. A lot of my childhood memories are when I rode his bus. Rest in peace, coach! Love Penelope (what he always called me)
Blessed are we to have had Coach. Love Hope and Prayers from the Hedgepeths.
I could always count on Randy; as steady as they come. Our sincere condolences to all his extended family. We will all miss him…such an empty place in our heart.
He was my Science teacher. I was his teacher's aid. He was my Coach. Kelly my prayers are with you and your family. This is a sad day for all that knew him.
Kelly and family we are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
He was a good one. I'll always remember that smile. Rest easy Tap
Sorry for your loss. Always remember him as great guy to be around at the roping’s . Prayers .
Kelly and family…so very sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers. God bless you in your time of need.
With a heavy heart ♥, I extend my condolences to you and all your family. I always considered Randy as a good friend as we were classmates until the 7th grade when he moved to Greenbrair. I know he will be missed dearly by everyone he came into contact with.......May God bless....
Kelly and family I am so sorry to hear about Randy. May God keep you in His tender care. Love you and all the family. Love and prayers. Dorothy
We are praying for you all that the Lord will give you grace, peace and comfort.
My favorite coach always remember having u in class always so much fun u will be missed deeply
Prayers for the entire Tapley family…ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™
Jan and all Randy's family,
I was so sorry to hear of Randy's passing. May our Lord provide peace and comfort to you all.
Love,
Debbie Merritt
I am so sorry for your tremendous loss. I will praying for all of the family as you navigate this difficult time and the days ahead. Prayers & hugs
Sending so much love and prayers to you all. He was such a good man and will be missed by many. I will miss seeing him and him calling me “Brookie†every time I see. Him. Love you all!!!!â¤ï¸
Craig & Brooke Wood, Jackson Crisler
Kelly you and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kelly and the Tapley family praying for comfort and peace.
Kelly & family-I’m so sorry! Randy was so much fun ! He loved his family! Always had a smile on his face. Keeping you all in my thoughts & prayers!!!ðŸ™ðŸ»â¤ï¸
So sorry to hear about Randy’s passing . A outstanding Man .
We are so sorry for your loss. Our hearts are broken and our prayers will stay with the family. Randy was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed
Randy was truly one of the good ones. My heart breaks for all the family and all who knew and loved Tap Tap. He will be greatly missed, but Praise God! We will see him again!
To the entire Tapley family, so very sorry for your loss.. God Bless
Kelly, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so very sorry.
Tap I haven’t seen you in a while, the last time my boys were in school at Greenbrier. I have a lot of memories of us in school, I just can’t remember all of them. But your out of pain and in a better place!
To The Tapley Families,
Praying For GODS Comfort and Love on Your Family.
Randy was a Great Person and a Great Coach. Prayers and hugs for the family. 💙💙💙💙💙
I am so sorry to hear this!
Randy was a very good friend to Eddie and I. He was always a sweet and caring person.
Eddie and Randy are team roping in heaven.
Prayers for all the family ðŸ™â¤ï¸.
Kelly your family is in my prayers!
Brenda Dowdy
I’m so so sorry. May God wrap his spirit around you and give you comfort and peace.
We loss a great man, he was live by so
Many people. Saying prayers for Kelley, Kaki, his mom and the rest of the family. I’ll be saying prayers for all of you.
I will be forever grateful to him! He was my Coach, my Mentor and my Friend. He made an everlasting impact on my life! Prayers are going up for all the family!! God Bless you all!
Our deepest sympathy and condolences for you and your family’s great loss! You are in our prayers and thoughts.
My Sympathies & Prayers are with Kelly & family â¤ï¸
Tap is one of my favorite people in the world. We will miss him so much.
Randy loved everyone, but especially my great-grandsons the Spotts boys. He had a new live come his way, his granddaughter, Teal. He will be missed by his family and by everyone who knew him
We’re so sorry for your loss! Covering you all in prayers!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and with everyone who coach Tapley touched their lives. He was an amazing teacher and coach !
So sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. You are all in my prayers!
Blessings!
I am so sorry that you all have lost one of the most important people in your lives. God bless you all; my prayers are with you.
Prayers for peace and comfort. Ronnie Barnett Family
I’m so sorry for your loss. I will keep your family in my prayers.
To the Tapley family. Randy was a great guy and will be missed by everyone that knew him. Prayers for the family.
He was the Coolest guy I know & I will miss him calling me Lamont. 🥲
He was a blessing to our family in so many ways. He will be missed 😢
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
So sorry to hear about your loss, you need anything please let us know.
Love,
Billy and Marsha Jackson
We lost a truly good human , if there was a better man i would like to meet him. Heaven gained a good soul and my prayers to his wife and family. Makes me sad i didnt pick up the phone and call him one last time
I am so very sorry. Randy was loved by all who knew him. Praying for all for comfort.
Good guy couldn’t beat him -Friend!!
We are so very sorry for your loss and will have your family in our prayers.