Travis Ray Runyan

It is with deep sadness that our family shares the passing of a very special husband, father, brother, and friend. He was defined by his quiet depth, unwavering loyalty, and an exceptionally sharp mind that remembered every detail. Travis passed away on July 15th, 2026 in Bentonville, Arkansas.

He was born November 29th, 1946, in Amity, Arkansas, a son of the late Harrel Issac and Estelle Adcock Runyan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Janice Sightes Runyan, and by brothers Jimmy D. Runyan and Don Runyan, and first wife Judy Bean Holmes.

He is survived by his two children with his first wife, Christopher and Leila Runyan of Rogers, Arkansas; Tabitha Runyan and John Pesek of Bentonville; his step-daughter Cindy Sightes of Austin, TX, step-daughter Angie Zimmerman, of Locksburg, stepson Kenny Sightes of Hot Springs ; his five grandchildren, Rhett Runyan, Luke Runyan, Delilah Runyan, Dean Cunningham and Gavin Cunningham ; his step-grandchildren Lucy Pesek, Rosemary Pesek, Corey Jenks, Nick McJunkins, Taylor Smithee, Adam Smithee and William Smithee; and seven step-great grandchildren; his brother and sister in-law, Jack and Paulette Runyan of Little Rock, Arkansas; and many loving nephews, nieces and cousins.

Travis was a veteran of the 39th Infantry, Army National Guard. He was an incredibly sweet, kind-hearted man, but don’t kid yourself; he was a fighter. There have been some serious health battles over the last few years, but he kept up the good fight. He passed away comfortably in his sleep, ending his long battle with cancer.

To know him was to experience a master storyteller, with an incredible memory, gifted with a razor-sharp wit and a sense of humor as dry as the Sahara. An exceptionally well-read man, Travis constantly had two or three novels going at once and would finish in just a few days, a lifelong passion he pursued right up until his final days.

During the early years, his summers were filled with picking peaches, fishing, raising the calf his mother got for him, and occasional shenanigans with his brothers. Travis grew up in a home on the banks of the Caddo River, in southwest Arkansas. He was the youngest of Harrel and Estelle’s four boys. He loved his three brothers, and he had a special connection to his brother and best friend, Jack Runyan.

He was an incredibly loyal, hard-working, and dedicated telecom engineer and manager. Guided by his daily standard of arriving before the boss and leaving after them, he built a long, prosperous career spanning more than 45 years in the telecommunications industry. Travis started out as a draftsman in a downtown Little Rock office. He spent 32 years at Alltel Communications before

retiring as Staff Manager - Corporate Network Services. After retirement, he spent 13 years as an Executive Account Manager for Nortel Telecom.

As a loving husband, he cherished every quiet moment and loud adventure with his wife of 30 years, Jan. This man was head-over-heels for her. He thought she could do no wrong and he was right. He also held a profound affection for Jan's children and grandkids, embracing them as his own.

His guidance, presence, humor, and stories were a profound blessing in our lives, and he will be missed each and every day.