| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 44, 222, 223.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 6 Aug 2005.
Speaking of that insidious disease, it was sad to hear that Jim Runnion is gravely ill with acute leukemia and back at home after treatment. I also heard from Bob Seay that Camille Carter is taking a break from chemotherapy to get some strength back before resuming with stem cell therapy. We heard talk in the newsroom that Jim Runnion was extremely ill. Tuesday, I had just returned from the groundbreaking for the new Lowe¡¦s development. In the Plain Talk parking lot, Beth Runnion was walking to her car and I asked about Jim, younger brother to her late husband, Charles S. Runnion, who died in June. She said that Jim had stopped by Tuesday a week ago and complained he felt only ¡§fair.¡¨ The next day, his wife, Jo, made sure he saw Dr. David McConnell, at Family Practice Center.
From there, Jim was sent directly to Baptist Hospital in Knoxville and required three blood transfusions. It seems that doctors have diagnosed him with leukemia and he has declined chemotherapy. We fellow Kiwanians hope he is well enough to celebrate the club¡¦s eighty-fifth anniversary on Sept. 20.
Just Plain Talk
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 7 Aug 2005.
RUNNION, JAMES BURNETT - age 79, died on August 7, 2005 at his home following a brief illness. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1948 with a degree in Business Administration. Jim worked at Sperry Rand in Bristol following graduation before returning to Newport to become the Office Manager of Heywood Wakefield. He later became Office Manager at Electro Voice before opening his own Public Accounting office. He was very active in civic and community activities. He served as Lieutenant Governor of the 12th District of Kiwanis International, as well as President and member of the Board of Directors of the Newport Club, where he held 48 years of perfect attendance. He was a Charter member of the Dead Pigeon River Council, was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cocke County Ambulance Service, and was responsible for establishing an Adopt-A-Road program in the county. He worked with Gentle Touch Ministries to help people in our community with their needs. Most important to him, he was an active member of First Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, treasurer, and supported many ministries of the church. Predeceasing him have been: his parents, Charles S. and Maye Burnett Runnion; brother, Charles S. Runnion, Jr.; grandparents, Thomas Stokley and Mildred Freeman Runnion, and James Huff and Lena Wells Burnett; nephew, Carl McNabb Runnion; and special friends, Reece Teague and Mulford Lillard. He is survived by: his wife of 52 years, Jo Sykes Runnion; daughters, Vicki M. Runnion of Louisville, KY, and Cindie Runnion of Newport; sister-in-law, Beth M. Runnion; sister- in-law and husband, Alma and Allen Rakes of Raleigh, North Carolina; nephews, Charles S. (Trey) Runnion and wife Joan of Kansas City, Missouri, Phil Rakes and wife Kin of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Steve and wife Sue Rakes of Raleigh, North Carolina; as well as many cousins. He is also survived by: longtime friends, Elza and Irene Painter, Dean Lillard, and Dean and Carolyn Williams. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9th at First Baptist Church, with the funeral following at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Rich Lloyd will be officiating. A private committal will be at Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 261 E. Broadway, Newport, TN, 37821, the Kiwanis Club of Newport Foundation, P.O. Box 815, Newport, TN, 37822; or Gentle Touch Ministries, 121 Cosby Highway, Newport, TN 37821. Manes Funeral Home of Newport is in charge of the arrangements.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 7 Aug 2005.
James Burnett Runnion, age 79, died on August 7, 2005, at his home following a brief illness.
He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1948 with a degree in Business Administration.
Jim worked at Sperry Rand in Bristol following graduation before returning to Newport to become the office manager of Heywood Wakefield. He later became office manager at Electro Voice before opening his own Public Accounting office.
He was very active in civic and community activities. He served as Lieutenant Governor of the 12th District of Kiwanis International, as well as President and member of the Board of Directors of the Newport Club, where he had 48 years perfect attendance.
He was a charter member of the Dead Pigeon River Council, was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cocke County Ambulance Service, and was responsible for establishing Adopt-A-Road program in the county.
He worked with Gentle Touch Ministries to help people in our community with their needs. Most important to him, he was an active member of First Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, treasurer, and supported many ministries of the church. Predeceasing him have been his parents, Charles S. and Maye Burnett Runnion; brother, Charles S. Runnion Jr.; grandparents, Thomas Stokely and Mildred Freeman Runnion, and James Huff and Lena Wells Burnett; nephew, Carl McNabb Runnion; and special friends, Reece Teague and Mulford Lillard.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jo Sykes Runnion; daughters, Vicki M. Runnion, of Louisville, Kentucky, and Cindie Runnion, of Newport; sister-in-law, Beth M. Runnion; sister-in-law and husband, Alma and Allen Rakes, of Raleigh, North Carolina; nephews, Charles S. (Trey) Runnion and wife, Joan, of Kansas City, Missouri; Phil Rakes and wife, Kim, of La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Steve and Sue Rakes, of Raleigh, North Carolina; as well as many cousins.
He is also survived by longtime friends, Elza and Irene Painter, Dean Lillard, and Dean and Carolyn Williams.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9th, at First Baptist Church, with the funeral following at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Rich Lloyd will be officiating. A private committal will be at Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church, 261 E. Broadway, Newport, TN 37821; The Kiwanis Club of Newport Foundation, P.O. Box 815, Newport, TN 37822; or Gentle Touch Ministries, 121 Cosby Highway, Newport, TN 37821.
Manes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 9 Aug 2005.
Jim Runnion passes away
By: David Popiel
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
08-09-2005
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Community leader and retired Newport accountant James Burnett “Jim” Runnion died Sunday night at his Wilsonville home.
He had just turned 79 on his birthday, August 5, and was suffering from acute leukemia, having returned to his home last Wednesday after treatment in Knoxville.
Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan said, “Jim had a deeper love for people of Cocke County than anyone I’ve ever known. He loved his church and church family–with a heartfelt and deep appreciation for his community and an undying love for his God. His legacy will be that he cared. I know that his spirit will always be with us.”
Born in 1926, he was the youngest son of Charles Stokely Runnion and the former Maye Ellen Burnett. The brothers, Charles S. Runnion Jr. and Jim Runnion, grew up in Newport raised in a corner house off Woodlawn in an area known as the “hill.” They attended Newport Grammar School and Cocke County High School.
Although he was born with a severe curvature of the spine, he never let his physical condition become a limiting handicap, nor did he allow cancer to stop him about 18 years ago. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.
Jim Runnion attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he studied business administration and accounting, earning a degree in 1948. After graduation, he moved to Bristol, Tenn., to join the Sperry Rand Corporation in the accounting dept.
In Bristol, he met Josephine “Jo” Marie Sykes, whom he married on Dec. 28, 1952 in Bristol, Virginia. Their first daughter, Vicki Maye, was born in Bristol. They returned to Newport in 1957, and shortly afterward their second daughter, Cynthia Jo “Cindie” was born.
Newport industrialist M. M. Bullard contacted Runnion in Bristol and told him there was a job in Newport for him. Runnion joined the national furniture manufacturer Heywood-Wakefield Company, as office manager and accountant. Later, Runnion went to work for Electro-Voice as an accounting rep. for both the Newport and Sevierville plants.
He left corporate work and started his own business in 1974 as a licensed public accountant, handling business accounting and tax return work. He retired in 1988. His wife, Jo, worked most of her life as county school nurse and retired several years earlier because of health reasons.
One of the first things Runnion did when back in Newport was to join the Kiwanis club on August 10, 1957.
He placed a strong emphasis on the Newport Kiwanis Club because of his community service interests and had completed 48 years of perfect attendance–a record only surpassed by that of his late brother, Charles Runnion, who died on June 25.
Not only had he served on many local club committees, but also he was a past president of the Newport club and lieutenant governor of the 12th district of Kiwanis International. His achievements earned him the coveted Kiwanian of the Year Award.
Runnion served on membership and finance committees and held the office of club treasurer for many years. He was also a member of the board of directors and played a key role in bringing international Kiwanis officers to Newport for club celebrations, including the 75th anniversary in 1995.
He had a keen interest in Kiwanis International projects, chairing the Kiwanis Worldwide Service Project Committee several years ago and championed the need to eradicate iodine deficiency disorders, which contribute to mental retardation and a host of other health problems. He traveled to many Kiwanis functions in Europe and Canada. Runnion enjoyed traveling and had also visited Mexico, Hawaii, and Ireland.
By boosting the Kiwanis Worldwide IDD Project, he earned the George Hixson Award and helped the club raise tens of thousands of dollars for the project. His leadership resulted in many club members receiving Hixson Awards. He was a lifetime member of Kiwanis.
Ranking high among his many interests and loyalties was UT sports. He was an avid fan of both football and Lady Vols basketball. His interest was so keen that he converted a Volkswagen bug into an orange Volunteer vehicle. Alumni often joined him on game trips–he attended most every bowl and SEC championship game and held season tickets for the past 30 years.
His cousin, the late James Burnett, traveled extensively on trains, as a hobby and was accompanied at times by Runnion. It was during one such trip to California that they met the operations manager of the Panama Canal. Runnion then visited Panama to travel along the canal.
Up until weeks before his death he was helping Gentle Touch Ministries raise funds and acquire donations to be given to the needy. Runnion was chiefly responsible for forming the board of directors and helped it to raise thousands of dollars.
He was a charter member of the Dead Pigeon River Council, because of his belief that the river was important to Cocke County and should be clean of pollutants. You would find him with the members at events focused on the river, including the annual New Year’s Eve vigil in Newport.
He served as chairman of the Cocke County Ambulance Service board and was responsible for establishing the Adopt-A-Road program in the county.
Perhaps most important to him was his membership and fellowship with First Baptist Church of Newport. He served as a deacon, treasurer, and supported many ministries of the church.
Pastor Rich Lloyd said “Jim was one of the first people to work with me. He was active–in the TV ministry and visiting shut-ins. He had a real passion for his church and its members. Jim was small in stature but great in his work. He will be deeply missed.”
Funeral services will be at First Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. with Dr. Rich Lloyd officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:15 p.m.
Burial will be in Union Cemetery, and Manes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 14 Aug 2005.
Just Plain Talk
„E2005 NPT PHOTO These photos show Jim Runnion¡¦s love of UT and cars. His orange VW bug was a familiar sight in Newport during Saturday games. The midnight blue Mustang was a prize-winner. This photo was made by former sports editor Timothy Graham in June 1981¡Vthe same year Arthur Petrey, Plain Talk co-publisher died. Jim had bought the car from Petrey.
By: David Popiel
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
08-14-2005
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Heat crept back into the county be only the groundhogs seemed smart enough to stay inside while the sun was shining this week in our hometown.
But I did see one fat little hog climbing carefully along a wooden fence eating the morning glory vines. And so with some reluctance I ventured outside Wednesday to help promote the Plain Talk¡¦s Newspaper in education program¡Vbut that was after sirloin tips and taters at Fox &Hounds with circulation Manager Pat Helms and our ink salesman from Cincinnati.
Cleo Stinnett, son Marc, Bill Williamson and Florine Stinnett were across the room eating and I said ¡§Hi¡¨ and also noticed that Judge Rex Henry Ogle had come in to take a break from a civil case being presented by our friend Gordon Ball. I also chatted a minute with Chief Detective Robert Caldwell and state agent Darby Hutchinson. It was a safe restaurant in which to eat my carrot cake.
Our NIE director LuShep Baldwin and I visited the Cocke County Adult Education Center where Bryan Douglas greeted us.
He has been at the center three years and before that taught at Edgemont for about 20 years or more. You may know his parents, Larry, a retired trucker and his wife, Doris, who is a dietician at Mariner Health. While leaving, I saw a familiar face, Phyllis Blazer, who is immensely enjoying her retirement from the school system. Husband and county School Director Larry Blazer plans to continue at least a couple more years. I was surprised to hear that he is seeking medical attention for a kidney problem. Phyllis said that medication should take care of the problem. After leaving, we headed to Farmer¡¦s Co-op to leave some NIE information with Jimmy Hensley. Somehow, it escaped me that he had fallen off a tank at the business back in April and fractured both lower bones of his right leg. He still wears a cast but seems to be doing OK.
Health issues always seem to arise in conversation and I will talk more in a minute as it relates to my late friend Jim Runnion, whose coffin at First Baptist Church on Tuesday had the most brilliant orange spray of flowers denoting his lifelong support of UT. During a phone call to Dr. Mike Hood at the Family Practice Center¡Vimagine actually being able to talk to a doctor at work, only in our hometown¡VI asked for his help with some photos he made shot at the recent Parrottsville Volunteer Fire Dept. supper. By the way, Larry Sane tells me it was a great success¡Vsecond highest fund raising for the event night of more than $11,000. ¡§Well, what¡¦s the disease of the week?¡¨ I asked Dr. Hood, more for a joke than really an attempt to seek news for a story. ¡§MRSA.¡¨ He said this word and it echoed because other doctors had mentioned the growing problem with antibiotic resistant staphylococcus bacteria. The Family Practice Center is seeing more of these cases, which are difficult to treat. Doc agreed to help me with a news story to make folks aware of this serious health threat. I always felt there was something else to worry about.
Not being from Cocke County, sometimes I¡¦m slow at making family connections. But when Dana Bible walked in my office seeking help to promote the upcoming Youth Bowl golf tournament, it is obvious he is the son of David and Diane Bible. You know their other son, John David, a school counselor, at Edgemont, I believe. Dana is the younger son and a former youth pastor who is putting all his energy, for no pay, into His Vision Ministries. The Youth Bowl and Children of Joy are parts of the Christian ministry. His Dad, of course, is director of Newport Grammar School and Diane teaches at Centerview. Diane is a McAndrew from Newport, and Dana tells me that her mother has an interesting story to tell about a relative who was the second youngest person from the area to enlist in the Army during World War I. I hope she shares that story with Duay O¡¦Neil for our upcoming A Place Called Home edition.
Perhaps you saw the photo on Friday honoring teacher James Taylor, who retired in August after teaching for more than 30 years. What you didn¡¦t see was the bright orange-red hair he sported after fellow teachers dyed it so he could travel incognito. One of his friends remarked that he looked like a highway safety cone. Like me, he arrived in the county in 1972 after teaching at Pensacola, Florida, and Bristol, Virginia. His father was an Army career solider and lived in Johnson City.
Taylor recalls ringing Bobby Smith that summer and being hired for Edgemont. He later taught three years at Del Rio, when E. G. Bryant was principal. Taylor returned to Edgemont where he stayed teaching with a love for history. He also taught reading and math at summer school. I didn¡¦t know much about him, other than he seems to be a great fellow. I learned that his wife, Debbie, is the daughter of Ruby Marion. You know her as the friendly and able worker for County Mayor Iliff McMahan. Debbie¡¦s father, T. I. Marion, is a retired construction worker who continues keeping busy at Wal-Mart. Debbie has a long drive each day as operations manager for Charter Communications at Alcoa. Imagine her gas bill with regular selling for $2.32 a gallon. What now for James? He will continue to teach at the adult center with long-time fellow educator Bryan Douglas, you might find him on the golf course.
I couldn¡¦t end this column without reflecting with you on our beloved friend, Jim Runnion. During the years he has been a valuable advisor to me and goaded the Plain Talk into doing many stories and projects that would not have been accomplished without his insistence. It was that ¡§should-do¡¨ attitude and high expectations for our town that was seen in his lifelong love of Kiwanis. Certainly, he never got the recognition deserved for his support in recent years of Gentle Touch Ministries.
I admired his energy and achievements despite noting his curved spine from congenital scoliosis¡Vsomething that he never considered a handicap. Jo Runnion told me that when Jim was a teen he did hitchhike to New York accompanied by John Abe Teague and another friend to seek medical advice.
Apparently, he declined the option considering that spinal surgery was in its infancy during the early 1940s. He was not physically limited, as daughters Cindie and Vicki told me of his love of water sports.
Jo and Jim taught water skiing to many people on Douglas Lake¡Vincluding Mary Mims.
Jim, Charles S. Runnion, and friends also built a raft using metal drums. I don¡¦t think Jim slowed down much until he broke his pelvis, when he crashed riding his Honda through Greene County years ago.
Everyone knows he loved UT, church, his family and hometown. I recalled his interest in B-western movies and the fun we shared at Harold Smiths watching Hoppy, Autry, Rogers and other silver screen heroes. And I remember how Jim cried when we talked after Harold¡¦s funeral. Jim grew up as many of you did in the world of the Saturday matinee and he had the distinct fun of working for Winston Baird popping corn. Jim also enjoyed antique cars, his first being a 1926 Ford¡Vthe year of his birth. He later owned a 1940 Ford and several 1960s vintage Mustangs. One he bought from Arthur Petrey, an old friend and fellow Kiwanian of Jim¡¦s. It was obvious that Jim enjoyed community involvement and told me years ago that his favorite experience with Kiwanis occurred in the early 1960s. The club was distributing Salk vaccine to prevent polio.
The club made it possible for 20,000 does of Sabin oral vaccine to be administered here. Growing up in Miami, my next door neighbor¡¦s daughter was stricken, spent time in an iron lung and retains a severe limp today.
In plain talk, We couldn¡¦t imagine how much poorer Cocke County would be today without this marvelous man.
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