John David Runyan, 77, died Thursday, November 13, 2025 at his home. John was born March 4, 1948, in Sulphur, Okla. to the late Leonard Loren “Tot” Runyan and Jimmie Estel Corbin Runyan.
John and Sandra Paulette Ammons were married January 27, 1973, in Sherman, Texas. John grew up in the Buckhorn/Sulphur area. He attended schools in Sulphur, Ardmore and Gene Autry, while living with his sister and brother-in-law, Sue and George Telford. He graduated from Sulphur High School in 1966. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Madill where he spent the remainder of his life.
During his life, he worked for several rodeo companies over the years, Akins Rodeo Company in Madill, Okla.; Gene Smith Rodeo Company in Talco, Texas and Flying C Rodeo Company in Madill, Okla., in many capacities, from team roping to pick up man to serving as event director for the kid’s junior rodeo association.
He loved gathering wild cattle with his brother-in-law, George Telford. He always had great horses and dogs and was ready to use them whenever the opportunity arose.
John was a former active member and President of the Madill Round-Up Club Association and actively participated in relay races with the boys from Marshall County.
He worked as a welder until 1984 when he was hired by the State of Oklahoma as a state livestock inspector. He tested cattle all over southern Oklahoma with his two trusty sidekicks, Brandy and Shawn. He retired in 2010 at 62 years of age.
His greatest joys in life were team roping, rodeoing with his kids, raising paint horses and Watusi cattle and watching his grandchildren and their activities.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, CharlesOric,KennethEdward,BobbyGlenn,JamesHenry (Worry) and Leonard Houston (Pete); sisters, Tommie Jo Thomison, Helen L. Orsborn, Sue R. Telford and Lou Ellen Smith; brothers-in-law, George Telford, Jack Thomison and John Orsborn; sisters-in-law, Peggy Colene Runyan and Sylviene Runyan; nephew, Ronald Lee Runyan.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Runyan of the home; daughter, Brandy and Lee Ruff of Madill, Okla.; son, Shawn and Kristyn Runyan of Madill, Okla.; grandchildren, Rylee Jo Ruff and Spencer Wallace of Durant, Okla.; Jacob Monetathchi of Tishomingo, Okla.; John David (JD) Runyan and Jadyn Butts of Madill, Okla. and Ryan Clay Ruff and Kambree Cagle-Reynolds of Madill, Okla.; bonus grandson Dekevis Jordan of Madill, Okla.; brother, Loren Eugene (Buddy) and wife, Ruth Runyan of Choctaw, Okla.; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Runyan of Sulphur, Okla. and Betty Runyan Sulphur, Okla.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation was held Monday, November 17, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a family hour from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla.
Funeral Service was at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Okla. Trent Daniel and Darrell Gunter officiated the service. Interment followed at the Drake – Nebo Cemetery in Sulphur, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com. Services were under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla.
Casket Bearers were JD Runyan, Ryan Ruff, Jacob Monetathchi, Dekevis Jordan, Trevor Raper, Tucker Burns, Shawn Pierce and Chad Taylor.
Honorary Bearers were Spencer Wallace, Todd Cook, Chad and Jody Ramer, Carl, Ty and Lyndel Runyan and Bobby and Shane McAdoo.