Thomas Edward Runion

Thomas Edward Runion, "Mountain Man", 68, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 2, 2009. Tommy was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He was in the mountains doing what he loved just hours prior to his death. He was a featured hunting guide for Outdoor Life Magazine as well as the Cleveland Bear & Boars Club. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a Sgt. 1st Class of his platoon. Tommy was a well known and respected building contractor. He was well know by many and loved by all. He was a member of Samples Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Langston Runion; granddaughter, Rebekah Cooley and two brothers, Cleaston Runion and Michael Runion. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Mary Ann Runion of Cleveland; mother, Blanche Runion Brooks of Cleveland; four children: Tonya Visage and husband, Buster, Marty Runion and wife,Shannon, Kristi Cooley and husband, Andy, Robin Gibby and husband, Kelly all of Cleveland; seven grandchildren: Lyric Visage, Jessica Runion, Lauren Gibby, Shelby Gibby, Sam Cooley and Skylar Burns; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 5, 2009 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Lee Ingram and the Reverend Donald Harris officiating. Interment will follow in Samples Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery close to his granddaughter Bekah. Andy Cooley, Sam Cooley, Stephen Musick, Kelly Gibby, Aaron Runion, Bill Goforth, and Allen Walsh will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Musick, Clyde Beck, Jack Ingram, Charles Park, Richard Taylor, and Dan Gilley. A white dove release ceremony concluding the service. His family will receive friends from 6-9 P.M. Sunday and from 12-2 P.M. prior to the service on Monday.