Jimmy Tharp Runer, 76, Gas, died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, at his home.
He was born Nov. 20, 1934, in Iola, the son of Rufus Arley and Mosline E. (Tharp) Runer. He grew up in Iola and attended Iola schools.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served 21 years before he retired from the military in 1971. He served in Korea and Vietnam and made his home in Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Texas and California.
Runer made his home in Bruce, Miss., after he retired from the service. In 1980, he returned to the Iola area and married Nancy (Gumfory) McCulley. They made their home in Gas.
He worked as a security guard for the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Burlington before he retired. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and attended First Presbyterian Church in Iola. He enjoyed woodworking and doing carpentry work.
His wife survives, as do two children, Steve and his wife, Cristina, Germantown, Tenn., and Debi Runer Box, Bruce, Miss.; eight grandchildren, Missy Ross and her husband, Jason, stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Aviano, Italy, Shawn McCully and his wife, Janette, Iola, Doug Lieurance Jr. and his wife, Jeri, Iola; Sophia and Olivia Runer, Germantown, Tenn., and Cassidy, Coady and Kelly Box, Bruce, Miss; seven great-grandchildren, Kylee and Zachary Ross, Jasmine, Clarissa, Savannah, Shawn Jr., and William McCulley; and three sisters, Cleo Powell and Fern Ball of Texas and Linda Runer, Wichita.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Harvie Runer, and a sister, Faun.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. The Rev. Jim Rausch will officiate.
Inurnment will be at Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial choices may be made to Disabled American Veterans or Fees Park in Gas and left with the funeral home, which is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Jimmy Runer
