Randall Dover

Randall Warren Keith Dover passed away unexpectedly due to COVID-19 on December 22, 2020. He was 64 years of age.He was preceded in death by his father, Bob Dover, and father-in-law, Jack McEwen, both of Chattanooga, TN, sister Tonya Greene of Ringgold, GA, and brother-in-law Pete Calabrese of Athens, GA.He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Melanie McEwen Dover, daughter and son-in-law, Emily Dover Saylor and Stuart Saylor, their children, Holland and Luke Saylor, daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Dover Wilson and Jacob Wilson, mother, Sue Warren Dover, mother-in-law, June Holland McEwen, sister, Gayle Calabrese, brothers-in-law, Jeff McEwen (Meredith) and Jimmy Greene, and many nieces and nephews.Randy was a man deeply devoted to his family and many friends. He loved his children and grandchildren relentlessly. He was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Nashville for over 30 years. Randy was known for his playful sense of humor, quick wit and irreverence about almost everything.Randy was born on January 27, 1956 in Chattanooga, TN. He had an early passion for baseball which was further developed at the Baylor School where he graduated in 1974. His talents on the field provided him the opportunity to play baseball for Vanderbilt University. It was here that he met Melanie and discovered a new passion for art and design which led him to the University of Tennessee to pursue architecture. He graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history and psychology and again in 1981 with a Bachelor of Architecture. While at UT, Randy was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity where he developed many of his life-long friendships. These years of his youth were an endless source for stories. His impeccable memory of plays made on the field and championships won were the basis of a life-long love of sports which he passed on to his children.Randy began his professional career as an architect in Houston, Texas where he also earned an MBA from the University of Houston. He and Melanie moved to Nashville in 1986 where he owned his own firm, Randall Dover Architect, for 32 years. He developed the neighborhood "Chapelwood" where he lived in a house of his own design for over thirty years alongside many dear friends. He was a registered architect in 38 states and was involved in the design of thousands of projects across the country. He was especially proud of the many small town dialysis clinics he designed, which served to improve the lives of people who no longer had to travel long distances for treatment. Randy's employees were like family to him and he had close friendships with many of his business associates. He loved working with and mentoring his daughter, Emily, who followed in his footsteps as an architect. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects.Randy was a member of Hillwood Country Club where he spent many happy and frustrating hours perfecting his game alongside his golf buddies. Golf was an avenue for travel to courses across the country and abroad. He loved any excuse to play including annual trips with friends, afternoons on the course with Rebecca, and as Grandy coaching his grandchildren with tiny putters in the foyer.He was a dedicated coach for his daughters' many Grassland Athletic Association softball and basketball teams, winning championships and getting kicked out of games while standing up for his players. He loved attending Predators hockey games with his friend Mike Mauldin. Randy was a long-time UT football season ticket holder and spent many fall Saturdays at the Coulter tailgate. Among the highlights of his life were attending the UT National Championship game in 1998, Braves’ World Series games, the Masters and many other professional golf tournaments across the country. Randy was grateful for any chance to travel and explore great cities, art museums and cathedrals. He was especially drawn to the desert in Phoenix, AZ, a cherished place where he spent time with family and friends.Anyone who ever watched a football game with him, rode in a car with him, or played him in a game of cornhole or bridge would know of his competitive spirit. He was an outspoken Democrat and was happy to let others know. Randy loved stories of hope; the hope of the underdog, hope in the face of despair, hope in all things. He loved being the first on the dance floor with his sunglasses ready. Randy lived fully, was larger than life, and will be forever in our hearts.The family will have a private service at 10:00am Central Time Saturday, January 23 at Immanuel Baptist Church, Nashville, TN.The service will be made available through live streaming. You do not need a Facebook account to view the service at this link: https://www.facebook.com/immanuelbaptistnashville/videos/247925543003472/ Once the service is complete the link will remain and the service can be watched in the days after.Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Boulevard, Nashville, 37205; Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, https://www.secondharvestmidtn.org/ ; and the Tennessee Innocence Project, https://www.tninnocence.org/ .