Roy Runyon Dies in Oregon; Was Sitka Resident 36 Years

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Friday, 10 May 2024 14:18

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Roy Edward Runyan

Roy Edward Runyan, a longtime resident of Sitka, passed away on April 4, 2024, in Estacada, Oregon.
He was born October 16, 1938, in Crawford, Nebraska, to Sara Galligan and Ralph Runyan. Roy had three brothers and four sisters. He was raised in Oregon on a family dairy farm. At age 17, he left home and went to Texas to work on a cattle ranch, where he became the lead cowboy until he joined the Army in 1957 and later served in the Army Reserves until 1969.
In 1959, Roy took a job at Alaska Lumber and Pulp Corp. in Sitka, where he worked as a saw filer, and later finished his 33-year career in the supply stores. During his time in Sitka, he owned and operated B&R Tire, later selling it and starting Sitka Auto Repair & Towing. Roy enjoyed working on cars and towing.
His house was like Grand Central Station, people would stop by every morning for coffee. Roy was a volunteer firefighter for the Sitka Fire Department as well as a member of the Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge where he spent a lot of time giving back to the community.
After retiring from the mill in Sitka, he moved to Oregon in 1995 to be with his son Paul, daughter-in-law Kimberly, and his grandchildren. The family settled in Estacada, Oregon, where he worked in the construction industry, operating equipment and driving dump trucks. He continued driving dump trucks until the age of 75. He was not one to sit around, and after he retired, he continued to work on the family’s property and spent time with his grandchildren whom he loved so much.
Roy had three children, Mersae Sullard, Fonda Runyan, and Paul Runyan. He was a devoted father and grandfather, known to be a hard worker (workaholic) and a great provider. As a single father raising his son Paul, whenever you saw Roy, you knew Paul was not too far behind or vice-versa. Being a very close-knit family it was no surprise that he co-raised his grandchildren Dakotah Runyan, Kassidy Runyan, and Shayne Runyan. Family was everything to him.
Roy spent his later years enjoying the outdoors, working on cars with his grandchildren, helping them with school and going to their sporting events. He enjoyed traveling with Paul and Kimberly and they took many trips together. One thing that was on his bucket list was to visit Hawaii and with his son and family he finally went at the age of 83.
He will be forever missed but never forgotten. He was an honorable father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and most of all a friend to many who had the honor to know him.
Roy will be remembered most for his devotion and selflessness to help others, and his overwhelming commitment to his family. He had a carefree outlook on life and was always there for his son Paul, daughter-in-law Kimberly and his grandchildren.
Roy is survived by his sisters Nita Harris and Ellen LeNormand; his three children, Marsea Sullard, Fonda Runyan, and Paul Runyan; and stepson Richard Elsea.
His five grandchildren, Dakotah Runyan, Kassidy Runyan, Shayne Runyan, Jessica Best, and Christina Lutz; eleven great-grandchildren Noah Graham, Brooks Scott, Jordan Best, Jaydn Best, Kamdyn Best, Kysyn Best, Kingstyn Best, and McKenzie Slane, Melanie Rivers, Mallorie Rivers, and David Rivers; and many nieces and nephews also survive.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents Sara Galligan and Ralph Runyan; three brothers, Arther Manginelli, Ralph Runyan and Viryl Runyan; and two sisters, Viola Sutton and Alice Williams.
“Join us as we celebrate the life of Roy Edward Runyan,” his family said.
This will be held 2-4 p.m. June 8 at the Runyan family home, 22590 South Springwater Road, Estacada, Oregon 97023.
“We will be sharing pictures, memories, and stories. Crying and laughing as we remember a very special person who will be greatly missed,” the family said.
Please RSVP to Paul Runyan 503-572-8945 or Kimberly Runyan 503-572-8944.

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