Obituary for Paul W. Runnels
Paul W. Runnels, age 66, a lifelong resident of Basehor, Kansas, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021. Visitation will be 5-7 pm Sunday, Aug. 29 and the funeral will be 11:00 am Monday, Aug 30, both at the Basehor United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Basehor United Methodist Church.
Paul was born on September 15, 1954, in Kansas City, Kansas, and was the youngest of three children born to Dwight & Ruth Helen (Roberts) Runnels. Paul was raised in Basehor and graduated from Basehor High School in the Class of 1972. He attended KCKCC where he studied music. During this time Paul began singing and preforming at various church functions, weddings and funerals. Paul then attended Barber College and worked as a Barber in Leavenworth while he furthered his education at MidAmerica Nazarene College, studying theology. He worked as a Hair Stylist at Lords & Ladies Salon and the Hair Magician both in Kansas City, KS. Paul also worked at his father’s barber shop, Runnels Barber Shop, in Basehor until 1987 when he purchased the shop upon his dad's retirement and renamed it The Hair Mechanix. He also received his electrician license and wired several homes in the area.
Paul had been active in the Basehor Kiwanis Club and served as the Lieutenant Governor for the Kansas Kiwanis. He was also a lifetime member and active in the Basehor United Methodist Church. Having no children of his own, he was very involved in the lives of his niece and nephews. It was his passion to work with youth and share the Gospel of Christ, often taking several youth to Youth for Christ events in Kansas City, Kansas. Paul loved working in his barber shop and continued to work until his health prevented it. Over his lifetime he enjoyed fishing, visiting with his customers, singing and leading people to Christ.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Kent Runnels, and his nephew, Russ Runnels.
Survivors include his sister Nancy King and her husband, Jack, of Olathe, KS; sister-in-law Gayle Runnels and her husband, Bob Moore, of Basehor; niece Jeannie Arnold and her husband, Dustin; nephews: Jack Hansen and his wife, April; Dr. Steven Runnels and his wife, Stacy, Dr. Scott Runnels and his wife, Jessica, several great-nieces and nephews; his former wife and close companion, Robin Runnels, and many, many friends.
Paul was born on September 15, 1954, in Kansas City, Kansas, and was the youngest of three children born to Dwight & Ruth Helen (Roberts) Runnels. Paul was raised in Basehor and graduated from Basehor High School in the Class of 1972. He attended KCKCC where he studied music. During this time Paul began singing and preforming at various church functions, weddings and funerals. Paul then attended Barber College and worked as a Barber in Leavenworth while he furthered his education at MidAmerica Nazarene College, studying theology. He worked as a Hair Stylist at Lords & Ladies Salon and the Hair Magician both in Kansas City, KS. Paul also worked at his father’s barber shop, Runnels Barber Shop, in Basehor until 1987 when he purchased the shop upon his dad's retirement and renamed it The Hair Mechanix. He also received his electrician license and wired several homes in the area.
Paul had been active in the Basehor Kiwanis Club and served as the Lieutenant Governor for the Kansas Kiwanis. He was also a lifetime member and active in the Basehor United Methodist Church. Having no children of his own, he was very involved in the lives of his niece and nephews. It was his passion to work with youth and share the Gospel of Christ, often taking several youth to Youth for Christ events in Kansas City, Kansas. Paul loved working in his barber shop and continued to work until his health prevented it. Over his lifetime he enjoyed fishing, visiting with his customers, singing and leading people to Christ.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Kent Runnels, and his nephew, Russ Runnels.
Survivors include his sister Nancy King and her husband, Jack, of Olathe, KS; sister-in-law Gayle Runnels and her husband, Bob Moore, of Basehor; niece Jeannie Arnold and her husband, Dustin; nephews: Jack Hansen and his wife, April; Dr. Steven Runnels and his wife, Stacy, Dr. Scott Runnels and his wife, Jessica, several great-nieces and nephews; his former wife and close companion, Robin Runnels, and many, many friends.