Gerald Randolph (Randy) McGuffin, Jr. of Bella Vista, Arkansas, age 57, lost his battle with rheumatoid arthritis on March 7, 2023. He was born in Cheverly, MD., and attended Baltimore culinary Arts Institute, Baltimore, MD.

His ambition led him from coast to coast where he gained expertise with a variety of cuisines with a focus on fine dining. He chased his dreams from Hilton Head, South Carolina, Aspen, Colorado, to several restaurants in Florida. He then landed a position as Head Chef at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Randy loved hunting and fishing, which led him to Bella Vista, Arkansas where he opened his first fine dining restaurant in 1993 called Blackboards Café, and then later opening Basil's Café of Rogers, Arkansas. After 13 years, he sold these restaurants and opened Chef Gerald's in Pointe Verde Beach, Florida. Randy moved back to NW Arkansas in 2011, where he took a position to help with the Fayetteville Senior Activity Center and Meals on Wheels Program. During his employment there, Randy met his life partner, Sherri Simpkins. After leaving the non-profit, Randy and Sherri worked as a team to open AquaFire Restaurant in Fayetteville, Crazy Pear Food Truck in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Pasta A La Vista in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Randy was known as a funny storyteller, avid deer hunter, angler, and an expert creator of flavors.

He is survived by the love of his life, Sherri Simpkins of Bella Vista, Arkansas; parents, Gerald Randolph McGuffin, Sr. and Ruth Helena (Gessner) McGuffin of Bella Vista, Arkansas; two sons, Tucker McGuffin of Fayetteville, AR and Mac McGuffin of Phoenix, Arizona; step children, Alexa Napier of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Eric Napier (Renee) of Cape Elizabeth, ME; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Amanda McGuffin-Noll (Doug) of Westerville, OH and Pastor Sherry McGuffin-Bays (Dan) of Petoskey, MI; nephew, Corbin McGuffin-Noll of Westerville, OH; nieces, Katherine McGuffin-Noll and Chloe McGuffin-Noll of Westerville, OH; grandchildren, Harlow Luecht of Bella Vista, AR, Ayla Napier of Cape Elizabeth, ME, and Landon Fitts of Farmington, AR; his dog, Rocky of Bella Vista, AR; and a host of friends that will miss him fiercely.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church, 100 Cooper Road, Bella Vista, AR 72715 ( www.unitedlutheranbv.org ).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the GoFundMe ( https://gofund.me/f77b19e1 ).

Arrangements are being made by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be left at www.funeralmation.com.