John Sumner Runnells II

JOHN SUMNER RUNNELLS II, son of Mr. & Mrs. Clive Runnells and grandson of John Sumner Runnells died December 6, 2008 in Bay City, Texas. Mr. Runnells was born March 5, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the Harris School, Thatcher School, graduated from Brooks School, North Andover, MA and Yale University, class of 1950. During WWII, he served in the European Theater with the 71st Infantry Division. Upon completion of Yale, Mr. Runnells worked for the Pullman Company. He then went into the investment business with Farwell Chapman and later with William Blair & Co. in Chicago. He was also the owner and operator of the Runnells Pierce Ranch in Bay City, Texas. This became a full time occupation of which he was very proud and for which he had a passionate love. Mr. Runnells was active with civic and charitable organizations. He served on the board of the Boy's Club of Chicago, the Pullman Foundation; he was a life trustee of the Field Museum and Northwestern University; he was a governing life member of the Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute of Chicago. Mr. Runnells was a past-president of the American Brahman Breeders Association; a director of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association; member and director of the Texas Southwestern Cattle Association. He was also director of the Santa Fe Railroad and director and past-president of the Museum Trustee's Association. His wife, Louise Gale Runnells, preceded him in death on January 22, 2008. He is survived by his son John Sumner Runnells III & his wife Jennifer of Bay City, TX; daughters Mary Runnells & her husband Christopher Glanz of Palm Coast, FL and Gale Pierce Runnells of Chicago, IL, two granddaughters Hunter Elizabeth Runnells and Chandler Claire Runnells, two step-grandsons Christopher & Jason Glanz and his brother Clive Runnells of Houston, Texas. The family will receive friends and relatives from 4pm to 6pm Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City, TX. Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church with Rev. Susan Kennard, Rev. Harley Savage & Dr. Jim Eli officiating. Memorials may be made to The Runnells Library at The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605; The Mary Withers Runnells Courtyard at The Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022; Matagorda County Community Foundation, PO Box 2008, Bay City, TX 77404-2008, the Matagorda County Museum, 2100 Ave F, Bay City, TX 77414 or St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 2200 Ave E, Bay City, TX 77414. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.