James Runyan

James T. "Jim" Runyan

James "Jim" T. Runyan, 84, Topeka, died on Thursday, March 11, 2004, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. He was born on Oct. 31, 1919, in Horton, the son of Tirey J. and Nettie L. VanHorn Runyan. He was a Topeka resident most of his life. He attended public schools in Topeka. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of Northland Christian Church; Philip Billard Post 1650, VFW; and North Post 400, American Legion. Mr. Runyan owned and operated two Super Oil stations in the Oakland area. He worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and later retired from KPL as a boiler tender and dispatcher. He married Goldie M. Sample on Aug. 4, 1940, in Oskaloosa. Surviving are his wife, Goldie Runyan, Topeka; a son, Wayne Runyan, Topeka; a daughter, Shirley Marquardt, Dandridge, Tenn.; a son, Ronnie J. Runyan, Topeka; a brother, Bob Runyan, Topeka; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Northland Christian Church. Burial will be in Rochester Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 400. Mr. Runyan will lie in state after noon Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel in North Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Northland Christian Church, 3102 N. Topeka Blvd., Topeka, Kan., 66617 or Midland Hospice House, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kan., 66606-2800.