Born in Seattle, WA to Elsie and Harold Baunton on Dec 25th, 1934.
Passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on October 19, 2021.
Randy grew up in Ballard and played percussion in the Seattle Youth Symphony. While at Ballard High School he had a dance band called Randy Baunton and the Syncopators. By age 16 he was playing part-time in the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
Arthur Fiedler guest conducted the SSO and invited Randy who was then 19 to play in the upcoming Boston Pops summer touring orchestra. He received a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music where he studied with Fred Hinger, the renowned timpanist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. After that he served 2 years in the Edgewood Army Band near Baltimore and went on to perform in the New Orleans Philharmonic.
Upon his return to Seattle, Randy became the Principal Percussionist in the SSO until his retirement. For more than 50 years he performed in the SSO. He was sought after as a percussion teacher and some of his students became symphony percussionists. One of his lifelong dreams was fulfilled by playing in Carnegie Hall with the SSO. As part of his legacy a room will be named in his honor at Benaroya Hall.
From 1974-76 he was the chairman of the negotiating committee with the Seattle Symphony, Opera and PNW Ballet on behalf of the American Federation of Musicians Union Local 76. He ultimately became the driving force in forming a new union, the International Guild of Symphony, Opera and Ballet Musicians.
With a lifetime love of boating he explored the San Juan Islands and inside passage to Alaska.
He bought waterfront property on Cortes Island in Desolation Sound and the family spent summers there at Seaford living in and fixing up the cabin. He later formed a business partnership with two friends and their families to purchase, re-build and manage the Gorge Harbor Marina and store.
Randy loved big projects and was known for his lists and getting things done. He managed extensive renovations of at least 12 houses, not including the many remodeling projects for friends and family.
Randy and Jan loved to entertain and hosted many parties full of laughter and good food. The philosophy was to celebrate everything. He included friends in ways that made them feel like family too.
He was a very charismatic person with a big heart that touched many lives.
He will be greatly missed.
Randy had 3 children with Joanne Baunton.
Stacey Baunton
Brett Baunton, spouse Denise Snyder
Clay Baunton
He later married Janet Hayes and helped raise her two sons.
Stepson Lance Hayes, spouse Selena Hayes
Grandchildren Alex, Dominic, and M
Stepson V. Christopher Hayes, spouse Tracy Ann Hayes
Grandchild Nathaniel
We hope to have an in-person celebration of life for both Randy and Jan sometime later next spring.