Vernon H. Runyan, Sr., was born 7 November 1925 in Osage County, Kansas. He moved to Missouri in 1936 and graduated from the Lee's Summit High School in Lee's Summit, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Missouri. He married his high school sweetheart on 15 December 1944 while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He retired from the United States Navy in September 1964 as a Master Chief Petty Officer.
Vernon served his country with distinction during WW II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War era. His military awards included: The Navy Good Conduct Medal (with 1 Silver Star); American Campaign Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (with 1 Bronze Star); World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal; China Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal (with 1 Silver Star); United Nations Service Medal; and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
Following his retirement from the Navy, he began a second career in 1968 with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) with duty assignments in California, Hawaii, Europe and at HQ AAFES at Dallas, Texas, retiring in February 1992.
Upon his retirement his civilian accomplishments were recognized by the presentation of the HQ AAFES Meritorious Civilian Award.
His memberships included AF&AM Raytown Masonic Lodge #391, Raytown, Missouri; Masonic Lodge #438, Arlington, Texas, Scottish Rite, Valley of American Military, Orient of NATO Bases; Ambassador and life member of European Shrine Club; and Ambassador At Large of the Moslah Shrine Temple A.A.O.N.M.A. of Fort Worth, Texas the Arlington Men's Garden Club and the National Chief Petty Officers Association.
Survivors: His wife of 74 years, Norma Shryock Runyan; daughter, Lynn Runyan Lichtenstein of Arlington; and son Vernon Runyan, Jr., of Arlington, Texas and his two daughters Jennifer Runyan of Alexandria, VA and Katie Runyan of Sacramento, CA; and son, Ronald Runyan and his wife Silvana and their two sons Phillip and Victor Runyan of Arlington, Texas.
Funeral Service will be conducted at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis, Arlington, Texas at 2:00 pm,
Monday, May 20, 2019 with a Masonic Service.
Interment with Navy Honors will follow in the Masonic Gardens at Moore Memorial Gardens, in Arlington, Texas.
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