James Garrett ("Jerry") Runyan, 68, of Mexico, passed away on Monday, May 30, 2022, at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia.

James was born on October 5, 1953, in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of James Robert and Geraldine (Quisenberry) Runyan. After graduating from Louisiana High School in 1971, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving from October 1971 to October 1977 with time spent on the U.S.S. Scamp as a Machinist Mate 1 ^st Class, based primarily in San Diego, CA.

Mr. Runyan's post-military career started at Radio Shack in Rolla, MO. He then began working in the IT Department at A.P. Green until they closed. He managed Radio Shack in Mexico for a few years. At the end of his career, he worked as a boiler operator at the WERDCC in Vandalia, before retiring in 2018.

Jerry had an interest and aptitude for anything scientific as well as computers, astronomy, photography, music, cooking, and of course eating. He could often be found with his nose in Scientific American or Popular Mechanics, or at the "family" table at a restaurant where he admired the cuisine and had befriended the owners. He was a charmer with high standards who appreciated the very best of things, whether they be mechanical, auditory, or edible.

Survivors include his former wife of seven years Shong Jin of Mexico, his daughter Jocelyn Jin Runyan of Columbia, his brother Marty Runyan of Columbia, his sister Melany Runyan of Grafton, Massachusetts, his nieces Callie Williams of Ashland, Julie Williamson of Kansas City and his great-nephew Knox Williams of Ashland.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.R. Runyan, who died in April 1991; and his mother, Geraldine Quisenberry Runyan, who died in October 1999.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Louisiana, MO in October. Interment of ashes will be in Mexico, MO.