Obituary of Jimmy Duane Runnels

Jimmy Duane Runnels, born on January 25, 1947, departed this life September 21, 2023 in Ardmore Oklahoma. Jim was born in Lawton, Oklahoma to Opal Norma (Williams) Runnels and Lewis Allen Runnels. Jim excelled in basketball and baseball playing for the Wynnewood Savages. Jim served his country proudly as a Marine during the Vietnam era. Jim married Shirley Dian Simmons on February 10th, 1968. They had one daughter Staci René Runnels born on June 26th, 1969. Over the years while in Texas, Jim was the superintendent and director of facilities at the Thanksgiving Tower in Dallas, TX as well as City Manager for the city of Lancaster, TX. Jim then moved back to his birth city where he worked in the Cache Tax Office before permanently retiring. Jim is survived by his daughter Staci Runnels Alvarez and her fiancé Todd Jones, grandson Brandin Alvarez and wife Nicole of Aubrey, TX, granddaughter Kamrin Cloutier and husband Connor of Allen, TX and 3 great grandchildren: Sophia Rose Alvarez, Lilliana Blake Alvarez and Kimberli Lynn Cloutier with the 4th grandbaby on the way, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins that he loved dearly. A memorial service will be held at the New Hope Freewill Baptist church in Lone Grove at 10:00 am, Thursday, October 5th, 2023, followed by military rights at The Seaman First Class Billy Turner Veteran Cemetery, Ardmore. All services are under the direction of his family. Cremation with care was provided by Griffin ~ Hillcrest Funeral Home.