RANDALL RAYL Randall Steven Rayl "Our Hero" Randall Steven Rayl passed away March 31, 2010 from complications of a massive stroke, surrounded by his loving family.He was born May 7, 1951 in Pocatello, Idaho, to Layton Lester Rayl and Vida LuJean Peterson. At age 4, he was stricken with polio, put in an iron lung at Primary Children's Hospital, and spent many months of his young life in the hospital, far from his family in Idaho. He had several major operations, and almost died from one at age 12. To offset his pain and suffering caused by the effects of polio, he developed a quirky and engaging sense of humor, which drew people to him and helped them ignore his disability. In his youth, Randall became a drummer, then a singer and keyboard player. His talents grew to include forming and playing in bands, then composing, recording and performing hundreds of songs. His band won the Battle of the Bands three years in a row and opened for ZZTop. He helped build and weld and wire countless buildings and chapels all over the western US. For ten years he composed, recorded and engineered music for 3-D movies. He recorded the live soundtracks for several great acts, including Willie Nelson "live" in Las Vegas. He composed and wrote three, two-hour musicals, wrote books on health and religion, invented devices to alleviate pain and promote healing, helped create and sell natural products that improved health, lectured extensively on health issues, was a guest on several live radio talk shows dealing with health concerns. His interests ranged from religion to science, to music, to health, to current world events, to finding truth in all areas of learning. He earned a PhD in Religion and many people called him "Doctor Randall." But, mostly he loved and cared about people. He made people laugh. He invented the "Christmas Rock." He did hilarious impressions of Donald Duck, Elmer Fudd, Arnold Schwarzinegger and others to entertain his children and grandchildren. In the celestial room of the Jordan River Temple, he met his beloved eternal companion, Claudette. They were sealed in the Jordan River Temple on May 26, 1988. "88 is Great!" They blended their two families into one, and finished raising 7 children together. His children say he is "the bestest Daddy ever!" He is survived by his wife Claudette; former wife Kim; children: Adam, Justin (Jamie), Cherise (Adam), stepchildren, Colin (Jeanne), Oliver (Rachelle), Evan (Tonya), and Angela (Michael); 15 grandchildren; his mother; three brothers and one sister. Other survivors include uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless friends and colleagues. His father and step-father preceded him in death. How does one encompass the stature and depth of this spiritual giant? He achieved so much in his 58 years and shared everything he could with everyone he met. He is loved by so many whose lives he has touched with his love, his humor, his knowledge and his great love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for Joseph Smith. He radiated love everywhere he went. His passing will leave a giant hole in all of our lives. His noble example will live on in our hearts forever.  The family expresses love and thanks to the staff at UofU NCCU for their dedicated care of Randall in his last week on earth. C