NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A long-time Nashville business owner and beloved community member has died.
Sources told News 2 that Randy Rayburn died from heart failure on Thursday afternoon. He was 74 years old.
“He was a great friend to not only the people who knew him but to all Nashvillians as he was always working to make our city a better place,” Rob Mortensen, director of the Broadway Entertainment Association said. “He worked tirelessly to serve others and lead projects that have become iconic in Nashville. He will be greatly missed.”
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Rayburn was a part of Nashville’s restaurant and hospitality industry for more than four decades. He is best known to those in the city for his restaurants Midtown Café and Cabana, but he was also known to his family as a loving husband and father.
“He was a robust guy,” Nashville businessman Barrett Hobbs said. “He always treated me better than I deserved as a young guy just getting rolling in this town. He exemplified hospitality and a good time and will be missed.
In addition to his accomplishments as a business owner and family man, he was also known for volunteering. News 2 spoke with Rayburn about his involvement in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial.
“I needed to take a calculated risk to do my part as a citizen, and as a member of our community, but also really for my family,” Rayburn said at the time.
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“Having lived in Nashville and done business here for years, I can’t count how many times I have dined at a Randy Rayburn restaurant,” councilmember Jeff Eslick told News 2. “From the menu to the decor, Randy‘s restaurants had flair. And you could count on him greeting you with a smile, a smile that will be missed.”
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