Thomas Lee Runner

Local relatives and friends were recently notified of the death of former Valley resident Thomas Lee Runner. He died Dec. 10, 2012, in West Palm Beach, Fla., following a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was born Feb. 2, 1948, in Denver, Colo., and was adopted at birth by John and Marjorie Runner, of Saratoga. He grew up on the Runner Hereford Ranch south of town and graduated from Platte Valley High in 1966.

Tom was an outstanding athlete in high school, participating in basketball, football and track. He anchored the 1965 Wyoming State Championship track team from PVHS and established state, district and school records which stood for many years.

According to a May 1965 article in The Saratoga Sun, “Tom Runner at state pulled the team to the top with first in the 100 yard dash with a state record of 10.3 seconds, second in the 440 and first in the 220. The mile medley team of Tom Runner, Rick Luchsinger, Tony Seahorn and Butch Buff placed third.”

Following graduation from the University of Wyoming with a major in education, he taught fifth grade in Denver for many years. He then moved to West Palm Beach and worked in various educational programs. His family noted that Tom loved his various jobs in education and helping kids learn.

His love of flower gardening, including raising rare and award-winning flowers, occupied his time after retirement

Survivors include brothers Jack Runner, Bob Runner and Stew Runner, all of Arizona, Bill Runner of Pavilion, Wyo., and Warren Harrison of Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation has taken place with his ashes scattered in his flower garden in Florida.