Bobby Joe Runions Born April 7, 1931 in Miston, Tennessee (Dyer County) and passed November 19, 2019 in Lawrenceburg, TN.
Preceded in death by his Mother Eva Bottoms Runion and Charlie (Buck) Runion of Miston, Tennessee. By his brother Herschel Runion of Tiptonville, Tennessee and Sister Betty Roberts of Dyersburg, Tennessee.
He is survived by his Wife Roberta Runions of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee his sons Randall Runions and wife Teresa of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Howard Runions of Newbern Tennessee, Brothers, Donnie Runion of Nashville, TN, Damon Runion of Memphis, TN, Sisters, Jane Harmon of Peagram, TN. His grandchildren, Lydia Runions of Lawrenceburg, TN, and Craig Runions of Lawrenceburg, TN. Amber Poston of Lawrenceburg, Bethany Baize of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Randy Runions Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Great Grandchildren Bryce McConnell, Ransen Runions and Sutton Runions of Lawrenceburg, TN
Bobby Runions was born during the depression and worked with his family on the farm until he enlisted in the US Army. He retired with 22 years of Active duty and National Guard service. At age 19 he was sent to the front line in Korea as an engineer but immediately became an infantryman. While in Korea most of his time was spent in North Korea. He received 2 purple Hearts and received the Bronze Star for his actions in liberating a Prisoner of War Camp where American troops were being held. Bobby had no roof over his head for the time he was in Korea. It often was -50 degrees below zero. His unit was cut off while in North Korea. On Christmas Eve, the Chinese decorated a Christmas tree in front of the surviving soldiers; The Chinese played Christmas music to the soldiers and told them that they would die that night. The surviving soldiers fixed bayonets, as they were out of ammunition, and assumed that they would perish that night. They received information that help was coming and were told to “keep their heads down or it would be blown off.” He survived the largest United States bombardment in history, while lying in his foxhole. In the morning when he looked out in front of him thousands of Chinese lay dead on the frozen ground. The Christmas Tree was no longer there. Help came and they were able to retreat. He was again injured and sent back to the United States to heal. He returned to assist in Drill Instruction at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Later he was Honorably Discharged. Later he reenlisted and served in the 269th MP Company in Dyersburg. At age 62 he was sent to Operation Desert Storm and was a witness to the “Road to Death” where the Iraqis Army was destroyed. After that retired from the US Army and his civilian job. He became a Christian. He was baptized and ordained as a deacon at Second Baptist Church in Dyersburg, Tennessee, He was once a Sunday School teacher there. He and his wife Roberta later moved to Lawrenceburg to be near his grandchildren.
He and his wife Roberta were members of the Deerfield Baptist Church of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee He enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting and fishing and helping on the farm on Piney Road and ham radio his call was WB4IBC /SK
The Visitation will be held at the Pettus-Turnbo Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Pettus-Turnbo Funeral Chapel on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. with Brothers Chris Gowan and Ben Shettles officiating.
Interment will be at Deerfield Cemetery.
