Jerald Lee Runyan

Jerry Runyan passed away on November 18th, 2011, after a courageous, two-year battle with mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused lung cancer. He was born on December 2, 1941 in Denver, Colorado to Carl Runyan and Elva Atwood, and was raised in ""the homeland"" of Wheatridge, Colorado, where he worked for his family electrical and construction business. In 1961, Jerry traveled to England to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. When he returned to Denver, he met his sweetheart, Ellen Louise Strong, and in 1965 they married in the LDS Salt Lake Temple. In 1968 he graduated with a degree in accounting from Brigham Young University in Utah, and returned to Denver to eventually take over the family business, Runyan Brother's Construction. Always a hard-working businessman, Jerry built and renovated more than 25 church buildings, five apartment complexes, and at least a dozen warehouses and commercial buildings. His unrelenting work ethic was only surpassed by his devotion to his family, his commitment to his faith, and his passion for fun and adventure (he enjoyed skiing, canoeing, camping, and traveling). Jerry loved playing the organ and was known to raise the roof during church meetings while playing exuberant hymns. He also enjoyed tinkering with computers, and taught himself to program in several computer languages. In his ten years as a Scout Master, Jerry inspired hundreds of young men and helped nearly 50 scouts attain the rank of Eagle, including his six sons. Later, he also influenced the lives of countless youth and young adults as a seminary teacher and bishop in the LDS Church. From 2007 to 2009, Jerry returned to England to conduct missionary work again, this time together with ""the best companion ever,"" his wife, Ellen. Jerry is survived by his wife, Ellen, and their seven children: Chris (Jennifer), Carl (Jackie), Cory (Andrea), Curtis (Jennifer), Keith, Mindy (Roy) Denley, Joe (Kristie). He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and more yet to come: Kirsten, Jacob, Benjamin, Matthew, John-Michael, Andrew, Jordan, Connor, Austin, Emily, Kendall, Sam, Sara, Gabby, Amanda, Brenden, Connor, Benjamin, Caelan, Carter, Jayden, Kallie. In addition, he is survived by his siblings: Don and Susan Runyan, Kathy and Rod Peterson, Bonnie and Ray Davis, and Mike and Nancy Runyan. Preceeded in death by Dave Runyan, who passed away from pancreatic cancer on October 22. The family would like to thank the many people who have generously provided their support and care, especially the medical staff at the U. of Colorado Hospital Center. Thank you. A beloved husband, father, brother, son, friend, and mentor, Jerry will be dearly missed. God be with you until we meet again. We love you. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday November 22nd at one of the LDS Church buildings that Jerry built—the Alkire Building, 12995 West 72nd Avenue in Arvada, Colorado. There will be a public viewing from 9:30am to 10:30am, and the service will commence at 11:00am. There will be an initial public viewing on Monday from 6:00-8:00pm at the Horan & McConaty Funeral Home: 7577 West 80th Ave, Arvada, Colorado. Please share your memories of Jerald and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook.