Manley Runyans

Mr. Runyans, 86, of 1017 Mark Drive, Shelby, NC, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. A native of Cleveland County, Mr. Runyans was the son of the late Adolphus Craig and Estelle Benoy Runyans. As a teenager, Mr. Runyans played baseball with his twin brother Stanley, and won the American Legion baseball championship at age 17 and was asked to play for the Philadelphia Phillies before he went to serve in the Navy. He was a United States Navy Air Corp veteran of World War II, where he served as a bombardier in South America, North Africa, Rome, France, and Liverpool, England. After the war, he graduated from Newberry College and played semi-pro baseball in Laurens, South Carolina. When he returned home to Shelby in the 1950's he was given the franchise out of Washington, Pennsylvania, to set up Manley's Pony and Colt Baseball League for kids ages 11-15. He coached more than 3, 000 boys in and around Cleveland County. He also set up sports for Junior High School baseball, football, and basketball. He also coached American Legion baseball for one year. He retired from coaching in the 1970's and was inducted into the FCA Hall of Fame in 1995. He was employed with Davis Electrical for 25 years as an electrical engineer before retiring in 1985. He was a member of Spindale Baptist Church. Mr. Runyans is survived by his wife of 64 years Frances Pruett Runyans, a sister Melba Runyans Tate and husband Bill, and their children; Jan Thompson (Ralph), Brad Tate all of Union, SC; a nephew Ronnie Runyans (Pam) and their sons, Michael and Ty Runyans of Newberry, SC, and a great niece and great nephew Betsy Tate and Josh Tate both of Union, SC. Mr. Runyans was also preceded in death by his twin brother Stanley Runyans. Funeral servioes will be conducted by the Revs. Tony Tench and Perry Holleman. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.