Melvin L. Runyan, Sr., 90, passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.  Son of Lloyd R. Runyan and Allie Hartley (Bowman) Runyan.

Service 10 a.m.,  Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Calvary Baptist Church, 320 N. Sheridan, Valley Center, Kansas. Graveside following at the Valley Center Cemetery.

Here are but a few of the lines and callouses that made Melvin Runyan into our dad. He was born in 1933 during the depression era, the back braking oil fields of Kansas and Oklahoma, the draft in 53, logging in the Montana mountains , a mechanic for yrs. at G&L garage, a race car driver and later an Autobody man. But in between these lines was his kids sprinkled throughout the years of 1953-64. Now work may have caused the callouses and time the wrinkles, but us 7 kids caused maybe a few of those gray hairs...but just a few.

Dad retired at 62 after seeing his parents, grandparents and brothers all pass in their seventies. He thought he might as well retire and enjoy what little time he had left ... and he got to enjoy about 30 years of retirement. He still worked on cars and trailers. cut down trees and he loved to burn trash and leaves and whatever else would burn. Surprisingly he also stayed up on technology with his iPhone by getting on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and he would keep up with gas buddy.

He was preceded in death by his father Loyd Reuben Runyan, mother Allie Hartley (Bowman) Runyan, brothers Gayle Runyan and Merle Runyan, his sons John F. Runyan and Jerry W. Runyan, his daughter Cinthia K. Hammonds, grandsons Otis Runyan, Derrick Runyan and Michial Wolfe, granddaughters Jamie Runyan and Amber Walters.

Melvin is survived by his children Betty L. Soliz of Wichita, Ks, Melvin L. Runyan Jr of Andover, Ks, Jimmy P. Runyan and wife Carla Runyan of Valley Center, Ks, and Debra S. Shelton and husband Kevin Shelton of Wichita, Ks; his grandchildren Tresea Armitage, David Wolfe, Debbie Bebe, Melvin Runyan III, Justin Runyan, Jason Runyan, John Runyan, Jeremy Runyan, Monty Runyan, Richard Nessbitt, Jeff Runyan, Amy Dockers, Lisa Douglass, Tammy McNeeley, Steven Walters and Timothy Walters; 30 great grandchildren; many other family and friends.

Some of you reading this may not have personally known him, you may be here because you knew one of us, his family that he loved, either way you know that who we are is because of him. There are so many stories, so many memories, so many thoughts, so many of everything. How does one explain what each and every one of those memories, thoughts and stories means to someone else....one can't, it's not possible.  All we can say is Dad you were loved, you'll always be loved and dearly missed. Your presence in our lives will remain with us always and forever.

Condolences may be left for the fam ily at www.bakerfhvc.com