Obituary of James Howard Runyon

James Howard Runyon, 73, passed away February 22, 2018, at his home in St. Louis Park. Jim was born June 5, 1944, in Minneapolis to Howard and Marie Runyon. Jim married Kathleen Vlock on May 27, 1967. They celebrated 50 years of marriage on their last anniversary. Jim and Kathy were blessed with two children, Lori and Jason. He had a long and distinguished 34-year career at East Side Beverage/J.J. Taylor and retired in 2005. Jim started on a beer truck and worked his way up to sales manager. He was well known in the industry as "The Fun Guy." Many of his clients became his close personal friends. Jim's greatest joys were spending time with his family and friends, the cabin on Gull Lake, World War 2 documentaries and Minnesota sports. Jim is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughter, Lori; son, Jason (Kari); grandchildren Jack and Kayla; sister, Barbara Runyon Baer; nephews John (Deborah) Baer and Ryan (Jean) Baer; nieces Tiffany (Bob) Paine and Amanda (Karel) Kovar; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceding Jim in death were his parents, Howard and Marie Runyon, and his in-laws Leo and Florence Vlock. Interment and memorial information to be communicated at a later date.