Randy Ark was raised on a small farm outside Springfield, Ohio. He was drafted into the Army in 1967, a year after high school graduation. He served as a medic in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division from August 1968 to August 1969, where he was awarded three Army Commendation Medals and a Purple Heart.

He earned a Master's Degree in Education from Wright State University and taught school for 32 years, retiring in 2007. After retiring, he became involved with the Military Order of Purple Heart and other veterans organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of the National Honor Flight Network.

Randy is married with three grown children and four grandchildren.