John Sumner Runnells II

John Sumner Runnells II, son of Mr. & Mrs. Clive Runnells and grandson of John Sumner Runnells died December 6, 2008 in Bay City, Texas. Mr. Runnells was born March 5, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the Harris School, Thatcher School, graduated from Brooks School, North Andover, MA and Yale University, class of 1950. During WWII, he served in the European Theater with the 71st Infantry Division. Upon completion of Yale, Mr. Runnells worked for the Pullman Company. He then went into the investment business with Farwell Chapman and later with William Blair & Co. in Chicago. He was also the owner and operator of the Runnells Pierce Ranch in Bay City, Texas. Mr. Runnells was active with civic and charitable organizations. He served on the board of the Boy’s Club of Chicago, the Pullman Foundation; he was a life trustee of the Field Museum and Northwestern University; he was a governing life member of the Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute of Chicago. His wife, Louise Gale Runnells, preceded him in death on January 22, 2008. He is survived by his son John Sumner Runnells III & his wife Jennifer of Bay City, TX; daughters Mary Runnells & her husband Christopher Glanz of Palm Coast, FL and Gale Pierce Runnells of Chicago, IL, two granddaughters Hunter Elizabeth Runnells and Chandler Claire Runnells, two step-grandsons Christopher & Jason Glanz and his brother Clive Runnells of Houston, Texas.