Randy Allan Garland of Chapel Hill, 52, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2012, after a short but courageous battle with kidney cancer. Randy was born in Caldwell County, North Carolina, on January 19, 1960 and grew up in Boone. He was the son of the late Bradley Garland and Hilda Campbell Garland.

Randy was a highly skilled carpenter. For eighteen years he worked for Additions Plus in the Chapel Hill area. His handiwork can be seen in many homes.

People loved and admired him for his honesty, warmth, and skill in relating to people and animals.

Randy loved his native North Carolina mountains which he often referred to as his "big backyard." He loved fly fishing in mountain streams as well as fishing from the piers on the Carolina Coast. Ocracoke Island was one of his favorite destinations. Gardening, birding, American history and Tar Heel sports were also Randy's passions.

The family wants to thank the UNC Cancer Hospital for giving him such good care during his weeks in the hospital; Dr. Milowsky, for giving us hope; and the nursing staff at UniHealth Carolina Point. The family is especially grateful to United Hospice for Randy's care during the last months of his life, the Rev. Dale Osborne for his pastoral support, and the care teams at Binkley Church and Montessori Community School.

Randy is survived by his loving partner of many years Mari Lindsay; her parents Paul and Caroline Lindsay; her brothers Stephen and Timothy; her sister Susan; her daughter Holly, son-in-law Adam, and grandchildren Adah and Maybelle.

A memorial service will be held at Olin T. Binkley Baptist Church on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Orange County Habitat for Humanity, 88 Vilcom Center Dr. #L110, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, www.orangehabitat.org; or 2 Paws Up animal rescue P.O. Box 37790, Raleigh NC 27627, www.2pawsup.org; or Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Drive, Chapel Hill. NC 27514.

Condolences to the family at www.walkersfuneralservice.com