Frank Jasper Runyon II of Clarksville, passed away on February 29, 2012 at age eighty-three.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, beginning at 11 a.m. The celebrant will be the Rev. Eric Fowlkes, assisted by Rev. Charles Matthew, Rev. Theophilus Ebulueme and Rev. David Gaffny. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 2, 2012 and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the funeral home. A rosary service will be held on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.
Frank was born March 18, 1928 in Clarksville, TN. He was the son of Charles Vineyard Runyon and Dorothy Lardner Runyon. He was an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Clarksville High School, he graduated from the University of Virginia in 1950. Volunteering to serve his country in the Korean War, the U.S. Navy took him to various ports. He then graduated from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1957 and returned home to practice law with his father. Remarking that it is unfair to criticize government if you were unwilling to help change it, he served two terms in the state legislature from 1967-1970.
As a private practice attorney, he served clients of all walks of life. He was legal counsel to the City of Clarksville from 1959 until 1991. He also served as legal counsel to the Clarksville Electric Power Board from 1959 until 2005. In addition to practicing law, he was active in his community. He served in many positions to include: being twice the president of the Montgomery County Bar Association; President of the Clarksville Downtown Kiwanis Club; Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation; Chairman of the United Way Giving Fund; a founding member of the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society; and, President of the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association. He was a longtime member of the Blue Wing Hunting Club. Serving as a Sunday school teacher, lector and usher, he was also a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Always a gentleman, Frank was known for his Southern manners and keen sense of humor. It delighted him to make others smile. Regardless of the issues pressing on him, he always had time for his family.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles “Charlie” Vineyard Runyon, Jr.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Sheila Bowman Runyon; his five children, Mary Neill Seesholtz (Rob), Frank Jasper “J.” Runyon III (Rhonda), Markley Preston Gill, Dorothy Donnelly Davidson (Bob), and Raymond Freeman Runyon (Julie); thirteen grandchildren, Kathryn Neill Henderson, Frank Whitson Henderson, Abbie Louise Henderson, Jessie Elizabeth Henderson, Sara Louise Seesholtz, Robert Ethan Seesholtz III, Morgan Elizabeth Gill, Mary Preston Gill, Robert Gage Davidson III, Alice Graham Davidson, Dorothy Grace Davidson, Frank Connor Runyon and Cailynn Rae Runyon; and one great- grandchild, Isaiah Alan Henderson, along with numerous family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church School, 1901 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37043.
Pallbearers will be: Robert Gage Davidson, Jr., Robert Gage Davidson III, Robert E. Seesholtz, Robert Ethan Seesholtz, Frank Whitson Henderson, Sam Charles Runyon, Charles V. Runyon III and Dr. Clifton Sites. Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Blue Wing Hunting Club and members of the Montgomery County Bar Association.
As we so dearly remember hearing from our Dad, one more time for him: Weep no more my lady; Oh! weep no more today! We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home; For the Old Kentucky Home far away.
Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040, (931) 645-6488. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.