Randall P. Whately

Randall “Randy” Patrick Whately, beloved husband, devoted father, accomplished attorney, and standout athlete, passed away on May 1, 2025, at the age of 73. A man of uncommon talent, unwavering integrity, and deep warmth, Randy lived a life rich with purpose, filled with love, achievement, and joy.

Born on St. Patrick’s Day—March 17, 1952—in Toledo, Ohio, to Jean (née Nowicki) and Lionel Whately, Randy was a man of great luck and even greater generosity, always sharing his good fortune with others. He was the deeply devoted husband of 47 years to Mary Ann (née Lupica), whom he married on March 31, 1978. Together, they raised six children: Amanda, Riley, Jillian (Matt) Cox, Colleen, Jacob, and Samuel. He was a proud grandfather to Hayden and Elliott Cox, and Kai and Wes Whately. He is also survived by his sister, Carrie (Lad) Norris, and brother, Rick (Sharon) Whately. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Amy, his beloved daughter Amanda and infant son Joshua.

Randy’s early life was an athletic highlight reel. At Christ the King Grade School, he led the basketball team in scoring. In Little League, he was a Trilby League All-Star four consecutive years (1963–1966). At St. Francis DeSales High School (1966–1970), Randy earned eight varsity letters—four in tennis, two in football, and two in basketball. A tennis prodigy, he was a four-time First Team All-City selection and multiple City League singles champion. On the football field, he served as team captain and earned All-City, All-District, and First Team All-State honors as a two-way starter and leading scorer.

Yet his academic performance was just as remarkable. Randy maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout high school, graduating fourth in his class. He was named to the Toledo High School Football Coaches Association All-Academic Team and, in 1970, received the prestigious National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Student-Athlete Award. He even took to the stage as the lead in The Male Animal during his senior year.

Randy received over 80 full scholarship offers to play football, tennis—or both—at universities across the country. After a brief stint at Ohio State (and a now-legendary disagreement with Coach Woody Hayes), he returned home to the University of Toledo. There, he excelled as both a football and tennis player. As a wide receiver, defensive back, and return specialist, he earned

First Team All-MAC honors in 1973 and Honorable Mention All-American recognition from Playboy Magazine. In 1974, he set the school record for single-season kick return yards and held national top-10 rankings in receptions and yards per catch. A devastating blind-side hit and compound arm fracture in his senior year ended his NFL prospects—but opened the door to a new path.

After graduating magna cum laude in 1975, Randy met Mary Ann Lupica and chose to pursue a career in law. He graduated valedictorian of the University of Toledo Law School in 1980. The family moved to Plymouth, Michigan, where Randy joined the Detroit office of Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn. He rose to become a Partner in real estate and tax law, and in 2002, founded his own firm, which he led successfully for over two decades.

Charismatic, quick-witted, and fiercely competitive, Randy could outplay you in tennis, out-argue you in debate, or out-bluff you in poker—and somehow make you like him more for it. He was a neighborhood legend every 4th of July and cherished family vacations at White Birch Lodge on Elk Lake, where he showed off his water-skiing skills, tubed with his kids, line danced with Mary Ann, “sang” Bob Seger songs with friends, and climbed trees just to shock the crowd.

Randy never lost his love of sport—he competed in national touch football leagues, led his law firm softball team, coached his kids’ Little League games, and played golf with Mary Ann several times a week, all while keeping southeastern Michigan’s orthopedic surgeons very well employed.

More than anything, Randy was a family man. He loved time with his children, teaching them how to play chess, cook omelettes, swing a bat, and pursue excellence in life with integrity and passion. He lived with grace, humility, and purpose, and was a scholar, athlete, gentleman, and force of nature—loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth. The Funeral Service will begin at 11:15 A.M.  A lunch will follow from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Fiamma Grille, 380 S. Main Street, Plymouth, MI 48170.

Those wishing to honor Randy’s life may consider a donation to the Miracle League of Plymouth, 357 Theodore Street, Plymouth, MI 48170. Contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home.