Reach For The Stars

I asked Maxx, "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

silence...

"like a daddy and?"....

...


Maxx, "I want to be a giant tree!"

Killed the "reach for the stars you can be anything you want" speech I had planned.

David Lewis Runyan

David Lewis Runyan
Loving Husband, Father and Opa






David Lewis Runyan passed away on October 22, 2011, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on September 29, 1942 in Denver, Colorado as David Lewis Seymour to Thomas Lewis Seymour and Elizabeth May Swan. He spent his childhood and teenage years in Denver, where he graduated from high school. At age 17, he was adopted, with four siblings, by Carl Benjamin Runyan, who married their mother several years prior.

He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland from 1961 to 1964. He then served in the Army from 1964 to 1966 as a member of the Army Band, and was stationed at Ft. Polk, LA and Ft. Sill, OK. He married Margaret Fisher in 1964, and together they had five children. They later divorced.
Dave was an electrical contractor, and ran his own business, Runyan Electric, for 35 years. For 27 of those years, he was employed by Granite School District, and taught the electrical trade in the vocational program, from which he retired in 2002.

Dave loved music, and especially playing his many trumpets. Over the years, he was a member of different bands and orchestras throughout the valley, including Murray Symphonic Band, a Dixieland Band, Soul Patrol, and Beehive British Brass Band, where he met his future wife, Agatha. They married November 23, 1991, and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. She brought two children to the marriage. They had two sons together, and Dave later adopted Agatha’s oldest son, Michael.

Dave loved to serve his neighbors and friends. For the past year, he enjoyed serving in a church calling at the Alta Ridge Care Center, working with the elderly. Many have been the recipients of his kind and gentle ways. Over the past weeks, many friends remembered him as a gentle giant, always willing to lend a helping hand. He treasured his many friends through his work, church and other associations, and at the cabin. He loved his family, and was always there for them.

Dave is survived by his wife, Agatha; children: Scott (Sheri), Mark (Kristi), Stephanie (Travis) Moulton, Karen (Justin) Anderson, Michael (Claar), Eric Porter, and Cameron; grandchildren: Drew, Jessica, Austin, Siera, Rachel, Katelyn, Ethan, Hunter, Kody, Kassidi, Lindsey, Adriana, Nigel, Skye, Maximus, Titan and Caspian; mother-in-law Nel Havik-Schenk, sister-in-law Elly (Klaas) Roos, and Wendy (Netherlands). Also survived by his siblings: Bob (Naomi) Seymour, Jerry Seymour, Jerry (Ellen) Runyan, Don (Susan) Runyan, Kathy (Rod) Peterson, Bonnie (Ray) Davis, Mike (Nancy) Runyan, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, two sons, David and Dane, and father-in-law.

We are so grateful for the special times we were able to share with him during his last weeks. We will all miss him so very much, especially his sweetheart. “So sad that it wasn’t any longer, just so grateful that it happened at all.” I will love you forever!

We would like to thank the many people who made a significant contribution to his care during his illness – family, friends, neighbors, and the staff at IMC and Intermountain Hospice. In his own words, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 29, 2011, 11:00 AM, at the LDS Chapel on 2550 West 9800 South, South Jordan, UT, with a viewing prior to the services from 9:00 – 10:30 AM. A viewing will be held Friday evening, October 28, 6-8 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT. (Road closure due to construction between 1300-1700 E. on 10600 S. Take 11400 S. to 1700 E., then north to cemetery.)

Online condolences may be made at www.larkincares.com

Caspian

We have completely fallen in love with this new babe and already made several fun memories between camping, lakes, and playing with our three sons. :) We specifically cherish this picture with the failing health of Mike's dad. So thankful for the good times and an eternal family.

Exciting Summer

I love this picture of Titan and think it pretty much describes how we all feel right now... excited and happy. We had a great week at Powell and are VERY thankful for life jackets. We are excited for a new baby and my dad and Mary's upcoming wedding. Very blessed, wahoo!

Good Times

This weekend has been great with family and friends. It was sweet to get to watch out the window as the boys followed Mike like ducklings on an Easter egg hunt. Then to see as he played with them on the tire swing. Moments like that make me so thankful for my life. Of all the fun and treats this weekend the phrase still wins...

Death is conquered,
man is free;
Christ has won the victory.

Screw You Guys, I'm Goin' Home!

The lines we picked up over the years typically were followed by an expression on my mom's face hoping it wouldn't stick. For some reason however she always laughed when we whipped out the "screw you guys, I'm goin' home!" There are many thoughts I could share on his bitter/sweet anniversary, but mostly I just feel like imagining her saying it and laughing.

Organic Diet

Titan eats rocks, sand, crayons, cardboard, you name it; I worried this day was coming...

Titan was gagging, not choking, gagging and I really didn't get why. Then he spit out some food... nope, poop. I launched a full-fledged investigation into who's it was, but it is a mystery. He had a look on his face like he had been betrayed and although clear, kept wiping his tongue on any toy or cloth he could find. I couldn't stop laughing watching him. I guess he learned his lesson; soft, brown M&Ms are yucky.