James "Pete" Levi Runnels
1/2/1930 - 7/25/2024
James Levi ''Pete'' Runnels departed this life on July 25th, 2024, at age 94 ½. Pete always loved the San Bernard River, that was for so many years, his home. This river gave Pete, a great fisher of rivers, the lasting peace that can only come from the Fisher of Men. In the years to come, Pete's daughters and their families will no doubt gather here and remember Norman McLean's words that; ''In the end, all things come back together as one. And, a river runs through it.''
Born in Peach Point, (now Jones Creek)Texas to Albert Charles Runnels and Laura Hanson Runnels. These loving parents welcomed Pete to the world on a freezing winter day, on January 2nd 1930. Our dearly remembered grew up in a home, filled with love and, along with his siblings, ''Sonny'' and Beverly.
Pete worked on the family homestead as a dutiful young man. Exploring the woods around their home, riding horses to school, and visiting folks along the San Bernard River, Pete was able to live a beautiful life on the banks of the river.
His family bought the property at Churchill Bridge in 1946, he explored his world without fear and as such became a man of purpose, eventually running the bait camp along the river where so many families and generations gathered with Pete and shared in his kindness and knowledge. There was no part of life on the river that escaped Pete's affection. He helped in the old store, ''Elmer's'', became an Evinrude dealer, worked on outboard motors, and easily became the communities' unofficial historian and honorary ''mayor.'' Pete was the caretaker of our history that he shared through purposeful stories and bountiful laughter.
Pete graduated from Freeport High School, in 1948, and shortly after, joined the Navy. After his time there, he returned home, where he met and married Betty Pearson. They built a home in Jones Creek, and raised their two Daughters, Shari and Debbie. In later years, he remarried, to Joy Schweinle, continuing to live at the river.
Pete was an inventor, a tinkerer, a woodworker, he could lay brick, pilot a shrimp boat, and pretty much anything else he set his mind to do. He was honest to a fault, always helped others, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone.
For the past few years, you could find him, most days, working, piddling around in his shop, or just sitting and watching the world going past, with his cats, and the smoke from his Swisher Sweet cigar curling around him.
He was preceded in death, by his parents, siblings, Beverly Runnels Nixon, and Albert ''Sonny'' Runnels, his first Wife Betty, by Joy, his second Wife, his Son in Law, Herb Boykin, Grandson Travis Levi Lepper, Niece Susan Runnels Knowles, Stepchildren Eddie Schweinle, Gary Schweinle, and Mona Schweinle Nesbitt.
He is survived by his Daughters, Shari (Herb) Boykin, and Debbie (Steve) Lepper. Also left to cherish the memories, his Sister in Law, Sylvia Runnels, Stepson Leonard Schweinle, Niece, Carol Ann Adam, Nephew, Randy James Runnels.
Grandchildren, Cindi Calderon (Cesar), Taylor Garratt (Rebecca), Steven Lepper (Erin), Philip Lepper (Beth) Great-Grandchildren, Orion Garratt, Emma and Lucas Lepper, Sydney and Megan Lepper.
We are so grateful to the staff at Cypress Woods Care Center, for their excellent care of ''Mister Pete'', to the nurses with Choice Hospice, and to the Turner Family, with Freeport/Lakewood Funeral Home/Riverside Cremations.
Pete wished to have no services, so we will honor his wishes.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Pete's name, to Gulf Prairie Presbyterian Church. P.O. Box 92, Lake Jackson, Texas, 77566.
We were blessed by our many years with our Daddy, and he will be missed forever.
Flounder on, Pete.
Obituary Provided By:
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