Funeral services for Dr. Richard Thompson Runnells (95) of Fort Worth will be 11:00a.m. Friday, May 15, 2020 at Forest Ridge Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Richard passed away May 9, 2020 at his home in Fort Worth with his family by his side. He was born January 10, 1925 to Dr. Walter and Mary Runnells in Greeley, Co.
He graduated from Greeley Central High in 1942. He entered military service during WWII on May 26, 1943. His unit was the 104th Infantry, Co B, 413th Regiment (Timberwolves), and they were on the first ship to arrive after D-Day at Cherbourg, France. Eventually his unit went to Aachen, Germany and came under attack near Duren, Germany on Nov 28, 1944. As he threw a grenade knocking out a German machine gunner he was shot through the face. As he was shot, Psalm 23 came to his mind and according to his account the bleeding stopped. Richard was able to dig a shallow foxhole. For 13 hours Richard drug his injured commanding officer fox hole to fox hole, signaling to a spotter plane and evading German shelling. Upon rescue Richard was sent to Bath, England where he received medical attention. During his healing, he was sent to Frankfurt, Germany to guard the I.G. Farben building, a notorious place where Zyklob B gas had been made to gas the Jews. He was guarding the Supreme European Headquarters of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Richard was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds and the Bronze Star for heroism during wartime. After 30 months of service, Richard had earned enough points to be honorably discharged.
Richard returned home to Greeley, Colorado in 1946. He graduated from Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949. Richard and Marge had four children; John, Ken, Janet and Dan. He practiced with his father and brother, Robert in Greeley, CO for many years; then opened his own practice. The family moved to Fort Worth in 1967; practicing Chiropractic on Bluebonnet Circle. Later he moved to Hurst, Texas in 1970, with an office at Pipeline & Trailwood.
Richard married Frances Roberts on January 6, 1979. Richard became the stepfather to three children: Gayla, Lisa and Charley. He and Frances were married for 43 wonderful years. Richard practiced Chiropractic medicine for 49 years. He was a spirit filled man who loved God. He would pray over each of his patients and God would give him insight on how to treat each one. He was a long-time member of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship. He spent his retirement serving the community, planning and completing woodworking projects and studying God’s word. His love for knowledge continued as he researched vitamins and studied holistic healing practices. He served in different capacities with various Christian organizations by teaching men’s bible study, building and renovated churches, and support fellow members by using his God given talent of woodworking, repairing, painting and more. One of his favorite books to give away was “Prison to Praise” by Merlin Caruthers because it taught him that God is in control of your life regardless of the situation you are in.
Richard was a devoted husband, loving father and engaging grandfather and great grandfather. Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife Frances Runnells of Fort Worth, Dr. John C. Runnells and wife Diane of N. Richland Hills, Ken R. Runnells and wife Anne of Overland Park, KS, and Dan E. Runnells and wife Andrea of Flower Mound, daughters Janet Runnells Chamberlain of N. Richland Hills, Gayla Cross and husband Jerry of Hurst and Lisa Hulse of Arlington, grandchildren: Cori, Alissa, Chris, Michael, Ashley, Keith, Lora, Amy, Travis, Reece, Casey, Brandy, Jordan, Stephen, Angela, and John Jr. and 35 great-grandchildren. Richard is preceded in death by his son Charley Hearon and brothers David B. Runnells and Dr. Robert I. Runnells.