Rev Dr Randolph Bracy Jr, B-CU's School of Religion founding dean, dies on Father's Day

Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr., director of Bethune-Cookman University's School of Religion and founder of New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, "divinely and appropriately" died on Father's Day.

Bracy Jr.'s family, in a statement released to WESH 2, said the 78-year-old, who "traded in his cross for a majestic crown" on Sunday, had a positive impact on innumerable people.

"He was a guiding light, a beacon of faith, and an inspiration to us all," the family's statement reads. "His unwavering dedication to serving our community and spreading the message of love, compassion, and hope touched countless lives."

From the archives: B-CU opens School of Religion

The family is asking wellwishers to consider, in lieu of flowers, making a donation to Wright the Vision, Inc., which provides scholarships to B-CU religion school students.

Donations may be mailed to Wright the Vision, Inc., at P.O. Box 248, Windermere, FL 34786, or via Cash App at $wrightthevisioninc.

Mitchell's Funeral Home in Orlando is handling the service, for which details will be shared at a later date.

Florida community, political leaders mourn Orlando church founder

It didn't take long for messages of condolence from multiple community leaders and elected officials to begin appearing on social media Sunday.

"Today, our community lost a giant," Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, posted on Twitter. "Reverend Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr. was a civil rights icon with a booming and unforgettable voice that demanded attention in any room. An educator, pastor, father, husband, and advocate he helped to shape the Central Florida we know today. His legacy lives on in the work of his family, and I am honored to serve alongside his daughter Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis in the Florida House. Rest In Power Reverend Dr. Randolph Bracy Jr."

The Florida Democratic Party shared a statement from Chair Nikki Fried who called Bracy Jr. a "faith leader, educator and champion for economic development."

"Dr. Bracy not only served as a spiritual guide for many, but as a visionary leader creating jobs, housing and educational opportunities for Floridians," Fried said. "Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Dr. Lavon Bracy, children, State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, former State Senator Randolph Bracy, and the entire Bracy family. May we celebrate his life and remember him in all the ways he bent the arc of history towards justice."

Finding institutions of faith

In 1992, Bracy Jr. and his wife founded New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, 2210 S. Rio Grande Ave.

At the beginning of 2016, B-CU's School of Religion, of which Bracy Jr. was the founding dean, opened to students.

During an interview at that time, Bracy Jr. told The News-Journal how much it meant to him to see the vision of B-CU's founder, Mary McLeod Bethune, realized.

"We are just coming full circle of what was her desire from the get-go," he said.

Bracy Jr. also acknowledged how much B-CU meant to him, saying it was the only school to give him a chance after he was kicked out of Howard University in Washington, D.C., over poor academic performance.

"This is the school that saved my life, and so I feel a debt of gratitude to Bethune-Cookman University," Bracy Jr. said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bracy Jr, church founder and B-CU religion school director, dies Sunday