I couldn’t resist writing one more column for RN-T so have composed my own obituary. Prior to my demise, of course. William John (Jack) Runninger was born July 16, 1923 in Aurora, IL. Although officially named William John by his parents, they proceeded to call him Jack instead. Which seems a rather stupid thing to do, and has caused all sorts of confusion during his life.
He graduated from East Aurora High School, salutatorian of his class. Which seemed to set a pattern for his entire life, often second, never first. He then attended DePauw University. When World War II broke out, he joined the US Navy. He served as the Combat Information Center officer on the USS Newberry, an attach transport, and participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
When his ship was sent back to the States for repairs, preparing for the invasion of Japan, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Gibson. Shortly thereafter, the Japanese surrendered, preventing the bloodbath that would have taken place in this invasion.
Following the war, his new bride and the GI bill paid his way through his schooling at the Southern College of Optometry, and he graduated in 1948 with a Doctor of Optometry degree. (Again as salutatorian). He then came to Rome to practice, not realizing at the time how lucky he was to be coming to such a wonderful community. He was in the private practice of optometry in Rome for almost 45 years.
In addition he also became an optometric journalist serving as editor of three different national optometric journals. (Only two of them folded under his leadership). Also in addition he wrote a monthly column for these journals for some 35 years. He also served for many years as the United States consulting editor for Points de Vue, an international optical journal.
Success with these columns led him to write a periodic humor column for the Rome News-Tribune for more than 30 years.
He wrote more than 500 articles and columns for professional and lay journals, six books, and lectured at more than 100 meetings and colleges in 28 states.
Modesty prevents him from mentioning a few honors he achieved along the way. Such as being chosen for the National Optometry Hall of Fame; awarded an honorary Doctor of Ocular Science degree; Benedict Professor University of Houston; Lifetime Achievement Award from his alma mater; elected Distinguished Practitioner, Nation Academies of Practice; member of the Governor’s (Maddox) Health Planning Council; the American Optometric Association Distinguished Service in Journalism Award; and in 1935, the prestigious C.M. Bardwell grade school award for best posture.
He first wife Mary Gibson Runninger, his wife of 60 years, passed away in 2005. He married Helen Hayes Cobb in 2008. He is survived by three wonderful daughters, Nancy Watson, Star Hancock, and Janet Ballou. Four beautiful granddaughters, Jennifer Odil, Jody Turner, Beth Kendall, and Shelley Ballou. And 3 wonderful great-grandchildren, Roman Odil, Lillian Kendall and Noah Kendall. Of all of them, he was extremely proud.
He is also survived by step children Kendall Clotfelter, Luke Cobb, Catherine Ledbetter, and Tom Cobb. Step grandchildren Emily Sweitzer, Dr. Julia Brock, Elisabeth Babb, Sara Lemons, Kristin Hunter, and Preston Cobb; plus 7 great-grandchildren.
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