Randy Jones

Class of 2026

Randy Martin Jones was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on July 6, 1960. The oldest of four children (David, Michelle, Kevin) born to Garnet and Margie Jones, he grew up in a loving family rooted in deep Christian values and a strong work ethic.

In the fall of 1970, the family moved to Flower Mound, Texas. Randy began his musical journey the following year as a trumpet student at DeLay Middle School in the Lewisville ISD under the instruction of Carol Allen. In seventh grade, he came under the direction of Cecil Darby; his private trumpet lessons with Mr. Darby further enriched his love of music and fueled his desire to excel.
As a freshman, Randy joined the Lewisville "Fighting Farmer" High School Band under head director Rex White and assistant directors Carol Allen and Bob Brashears. He continued his musical development through the tutelage of these directors as well as staff from North Texas State University. A pivotal figure during these years was his trumpet teacher, Scott McAdow, who became a lifelong friend and mentor.

Randy married his high school sweetheart, Caryn—a bassoonist—in 1980. Between 1978 and 1986, Randy earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Howard Payne University, followed by a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University–Commerce). During his graduate studies, he studied trumpet under Conrad Bauschka and refined his understanding and knowledge of band literature, tonal concepts, and conducting under the mentorship of Gary Hill.

In the spring of 1986, while completing his master’s degree, Randy sought spiritual guidance through prayer and fasting for his family’s next chapter. That fall, Randy, Caryn, and their first child, Christopher, moved to Paris, Texas. Randy joined the staff at North Lamar ISD as the third director and the program’s first official percussion director, working alongside head director Steve Wells and middle school director Rhonda Morris.

In the summer of 1987, Randy was named Director of Bands for North Lamar ISD. While the early years brought many challenges, he credits the Lord for bringing exceptional mentors and staff into the program. Among his closest friends and mentors is Rhonda Morris, whose thirty-year dedication helped establish and stabilize the middle school program. He also draws inspiration from colleagues and mentors including Dave Clark, Bryon Myrick, Tom Neugent, Janie Logee, Jim Gist, Matt Neal, Gina Ervin, James Coffman, Jason Smith, Roderick Boyce Jr., Gary Monroe, Phil Clements, and longtime superintendent James Dawson.
Under Randy’s thirty-seven years of leadership, the North Lamar Band program became a model of excellence centered on work ethics, accountability, student leadership, and a "family first" atmosphere. Under his baton, the high school band earned 34 First Division marching awards and thirty years of Sweepstakes honors (notably missing only two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The marching band made ten UIL Area and eight UIL State appearances, earning one bronze medal, two silver medals, and a State Championship in 2016. That same year, the Texas Bandmasters Association named North Lamar an "Exemplary High School Band." In 2019, the marching band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Shield.

The North Lamar Symphonic Band was equally decorated, selected ten times as a winner of the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series and ten times as a 4A National Winner in the Mark of Excellence. The ensemble also earned the distinction of TMEA 3A Honor Band (2011) and TMEA 4A Honor Band (2019) and was selected twice as the Four States Honor Band.

Randy attributes this success to an incredible staff who modeled daily problem-solving, work ethic, mutual accountability and collective support for each other. His primary goal was always to create a safe, encouraging environment where students felt loved and empowered to succeed.

Although he is appreciative of and humbled by his professional accolades, Randy considers his family his greatest asset. Randy and Caryn have been married for forty-six years and are the proud parents of four children: Christopher (wife Katy), Brittany (husband Frank Miller), Danielle, and Hannah (husband Seth Walker). They are also blessed with six grandchildren: Michael, Anna, Jacob, Andrew, Micah, and Josiah.

Randy and Caryn are active members of First Baptist Church of Paris, where Randy serves as a deacon. He credits his life’s accomplishments to his daily walk with Jesus Christ, holding fast to James 4:10: "Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor."

Randy is deeply humbled and honored by this induction and wishes to thank the Hall of Fame committee of the Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. He extends special thanks to UIL Region IV for the years of friendship and quality teaching, also, James Coffman, Jason Smith, his son Christopher and his daughters, Brittany and Danielle, who collaborated to provide the documentation and research for this presentation.

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