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Richard Terrel “Terry” Runkle, 87, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away peacefully at his apartment in the Opal on Hermitage assisted living apartments on November 15, 2025. His going home to be with the Lord happened three years and four months after having fully and miraculously recovered from a stroke back in July of 2022. Terry passed through to Jesus Christ the Son of Man while visiting a friend and neighbor there at Dad’s apartment. Born on August 8, 1938, in Chattahoochee, Florida, Terry was the beloved second born son of Elsie (Pitts) and Wilford Marion Runkle at the newly built State Hospital, under the hand of Doctor Paul L. White. A graduate of Chattahoochee High School in 1956, Terry then attended Stetson University where he became a part of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and played on the college intermural soccer team. After a couple of years at Stetson, he returned home to Chattahoochee, FL to attend Chipola College in Marianna. In October of 1959 he enlisted with the Army, serving as a high pole lineman. Upon completion of active-duty service, he graduated from Florida State University and took a teaching position in English at Everglades High School, in Everglades City Florida. He then moved to Gainesville, FL where he completed his Master’s degree in counseling at the University of Florida, and served in the Florida National Guard during that same time. Wanting to live closer to his family, he moved a few blocks from his brother Bill’s family in St Petersburg, FL. After his brother Bill moved to West Palm Beach, Terry and his family moved to Tampa, FL, where he worked in Personnel at the University of South Florida. During that time, he was very involved in Civil Rights work in state government and spent a good deal of time in the inner-city areas of Tampa working towards issues of racial reconciliation, affirmative action, and Civil Rights. Wanting to be closer to family he moved his family to Tallahassee in 1976, where he spent about 29 years in state government, working at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Services (HRS). He then retired from state work in 2005. Dad’s joy in life, his love for people of all color, no matter what station in life, high or low, coupled with his loving kindness always shined through in all his relationships. Dad was a conflicted Florida State Seminoles fan, sometimes cheering for FSU, and at others, cheering for the Gators, to the chagrin of his two boys. Unlike his older brother, he did not enjoy working out at the gym, but was known for his incredible athletic stamina while briskly walking the red clay hills of Tallahassee, the western shores of the Gulf, and the forested ridges of Leon, Gadsden, Johnson, and Jackson Counties to name a few. He was also a frequent passenger along the rivers, springs, lakes, and bayous from the tip of the Everglades, all the way up to the Western panhandle of Florida. Dad was an avid naturalist, and loved to walk in the Florida garden of God’s creation. Terry was a committed Christian, who considered Jesus Christ to be the cornerstone of his life, and spent several months back in 1972 intensely studying the Bible after seeing what he described as a vision of Christ appearing in the East, coming in the clouds. Although many dismissed this vision, it was at this point in his life that he became very passionate about Christ and the study of God’s Word. He led his family in prayer and songs like the song his mother used to lead at family gatherings “This is the Day.” He also enjoyed hymns and songs such as “the King is Coming,” “Amazing Grace,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “In the Name of Jesus,” and “There’s Something About that Name.” Dad also loved 50’s and 60’s pop, country, and Christian music, including artists like Fats Domino, Mahalya Jackson, Jimmy Swaggart, Cat Stevens, Robert Goulet (Camelot), Andy Williams, Nancy and Frank Sinatra, and Johnny Cash. Terry is survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Beverly Caldwell Runkle; sister-in-law, Lynn Runkle; children Daniel “Brett” (Jane) and Chris “Kevin” (Melinda). nephews William (Beverly), Sherri (Mark) Deal, and Scott (Linda); He is also survived by grandchildren Sarah (Josiah) Hodson, Grace (Darius) Mullin, Jacob, Harper, and Emily; and great grandchildren Alexandria Ophelia, Emma Sophia, and Chloe Naomi Hodson. He will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held at Bevis Funeral Home (200 John Knox Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32303) on Saturday, December 27 at 1:00pm with a reception to immediately follow. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Richard Terrel "Terry" Runkle

August 8, 1938 - November 15, 2025