William T.”Ted”Runnels

William T."Ted"Runnels, a Kansas City, Missouri resident and member of Mt. Pleasant Church, gained his heavenly wings onWednesday, October 30, 2024. Ted had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2013, a battle he eventually won; a testamentto his unwavering strength. However, other health complications surfaced. Despite those hardships, Ted lived a meaningful 74 years and passed away peacefully in his sleep at home. Ted,"Teddy"to many of his family, was born on June 19,1950, inKansas City, Missouri. He was the fifth of seven children born to Miller S. Runnels, Kansas City Public School District Custodial Superintendent, and Sarah (Burgett-Johnson)Runnels, who were both longtime members of Second Missionary Baptist Church. Although Ted was born in Kansas City, MO, his parents briefly moved the family to Wichita,KS, and Ted had fond memories of that time in his young life. Once the family returned to Kansas City, Ted became a high-achieving student.As a result of his academics, Ted was selected along with other students to integrate into the Kansas City Public Schools based on their academic performance. He graduated from Paseo High School, class of 1968, and attended Penn Valley Community College as an English major. He also attended The Kansas City Art Institute, studying graphic design. Ted was a natural artist and took an opportunity to teach graphic design as an adjunct professor at Pioneer Community College to help students in the community. After college, Ted was instrumental in Kansas City through the Social Action Committee of 20 (S.A.C. 20). Ted worked in many capacities, including founding member, member ofthe Board of Directors, and Official Spokesperson for S.A.C. 20. Ted was a community leader who spearheaded many programs and initiatives. He traveled the country to bring programs like the U.S. Federal Government's Model Cities to Kansas City, worked to help establish Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as an official holiday, created jobs for youth in the inter-city through the Youth Action Coalition (YAC) and Joy Worker program, established partnerships to provide complimentary breakfast and activities to area students, and promote Black-owned and operated businesses. His efforts were instrumental in advancing the Black community and instilling a sense of pride. Ted married Marva L."Cookie"(Groves)Runnels, a licensed baker at Foods for Health Bakery owned by S.A.C. 20, in 1978. They lovingly raised their four children: Chalonda, Aisha, Billee, and William "J.R."Runnels. His love for his family was evident in every aspect of his life. Ted left the workforce shortly after his wife, Cookie, began her battle with kidney failure in 1982. Although it was challenging, God used that to lead Ted to a new business that he later passed down to his children after instilling in them an entrepreneurial mindset. Ted was always well-versed in his interests. Throughout his life, he loved catching up with friends and family and bowling—even earning a 299 Game ring. Ted also enjoyed Intellectual games, brainteasers, dad jokes,traveling, sci-fi movies,the History Channel, and, as the 1968 Heavyweight Golden Gloves Champion, he was a lifelong boxing aficionado. His love forintellectual games often led to lively family game nights, and his passion for sports made every game day a special occasion. Ted's wife, Cookie, was a true sports enthusiast, especially of basketball,football, and baseball. Ted wentfrom watching sports only during the playoffs to nottaking phone calls during the Chiefs orRoyals games because of how big of a fan he'd become. Coming from a family of creatives, his love for art and design led him to start his own screen-printing business, Ted's Screen Printers, which became a well-known name in Kansas City. Ted often joked about regretting not keeping count of all the shirts he'd printed because he wanted to put "Over 1 billion t-shirts sold" under the company name, similar to "McDonald's" for its hamburgers. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marva L."Cookie"Runnels, brother Miller"Bug"Runnels,Jr., and sister Sharynne Theretha ThomasRunnels.As the patriarch of his family – called "Unc" by many and the one who always could provide a word of wisdom, he will be dearly missed by family members,friends from the bowling community, former schoolmates,the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and lifelong brothers and sisters from S.A.C. 20. Ted leaves behind his four children, ChalondaWilliams (Marlon),AishaRunnels, and BilleeRunnels-Potts (Jerry Michael), and son William "J.R."(LaKeisha)Runnels."Paw-Paw"is survived by 12 Grandchildren: Monique (26), Deja (24), Marquan (23), Eriah (21), Marlon (19),Karl (19), andKeith (17) of Lakeland, Fl,Jayvon (17) of Houston, Tx, Chiann (16) and Chalynne (15) Darian (30) Deonte "Mikey"(30), and two great-grandchildren Damiya (4) and Georgio (1); Ted also leaves to mourn the children ofJeffie McKelvey,to whom he shared a special connection, and his brothers Carl Runnels of San Diego, Ca, and Jerry "Nose"Williams, sister ToniRunnels both ofKansas City, MO; Tina Runnels of Olathe,Ks,Janelle Hill ofRoundRock, Tx, and MarjorieWilliams ofKansas City, Mo. Funeral Seervice held; Saturday, November 16, 2024. at Crosspoint Community Church, 10508 Hillcrest Rd. / KCMO. Visitation 10:00-11:00/ Service 11:00 AM. Interment, Private disposition. Professional Services entrusted to the ELITE Funeral Chapel 11525 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO. 64134. Tel: 816.765.0141. Malcolm Morris, Funeral Director.