Forrest Neal Runnels, Sr.

Forrest Neal Runnels, Sr., 88, of McAllen passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, with his family at his side. Neal was born February 1, 1938 in Harlingen, Texas, to Billie Ruth and Forrest Wilson Runnels. He was the youngest of two children, having an older sister, Jane. Neal grew up and attended high school in Harlingen, Texas, and graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU), in 1960. He lived and worked in Dallas until 1965, when he returned to Harlingen and joined his family business, Valley Beverage, where he felt blessed to have worked alongside his father and three sons. In 1967, Neal married Gayle Southerland of Harlingen. They made their home in McAllen where they began a wonderful life filled with so many lasting friendships. In August of 2027, Neal and Gayle would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. A testament to their faith and commitment to each other and family. Neal embraced the culture of South Texas - the people, its traditions — he carried that affection forward in everything he did. Neal treated everyone the same, with courtesy and respect. His honesty was absolute — he would tell you the truth, even when it was not easy to hear. His door was always open. Neal was easy to trust. His family and his many life-long loyal friendships were a paramount priority to him. Neal never missed the opportunity to use his quick wit and sense of humor on his friends and family. Those who knew him….knew all too well. Neal was guilty of having fun and enjoying life, always. He had a way of bringing happiness and light into a room, as he drew people together. Neal had much respect for the outdoors and the ocean where he enjoyed shooting shotguns, quail hunting and scuba diving. He had a love of jazz music, fast cars, motorcycles, and the open road, which he tended to enjoy at a pace that tested posted speed limits. He favored the color red, was fortunate to have traveled, and was known among close friends and family for his habit of whistling — quietly, contentedly, to himself. Neal was a member of First United Methodist Church in McAllen and the First Global Methodist Church of Mission, where he demonstrated his love for the Lord not just in words, but through the values and principles he lived by, each day. He took great pride in his commitment to the community. He found pleasure in supporting many worthwhile organizations and charities throughout his life. Neal believed it was important to invest in and give back to the community that had given him and his family so much. His idea was simple: if you can help, it is your responsibility to do so. Neal was generous; he enjoyed helping with his time and resources. It was a highlight for Neal to serve on the boards of the Vannie E. Cook, Jr. Cancer Foundation, Texas State Bank, Palm Valley Animal Society, and the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas, where he served as President for a time. Neal is preceded in death by his parents, Billie Ruth and Forrest Wilson Runnels and sister Jane Runnels Clark. He is survived by his wife, Gayle, their three sons, James Howard (Jamie) Runnels, San Antonio, Texas; Forrest Neal (Lorin) Runnels, Jr., San Antonio, Texas; and Nicholas Barrett (Lindsay) Runnels, Jacksonville, Florida; Grandchildren Chandler Runnels (Graves) Cowsar, Dallas, Texas; Forrest Neal Runnels, III, William Cullen Runnels, San Antonio, Texas; Wilson Steele Runnels, Madeleine Graham Runnels, Barrett Jackson Runnels, Jacksonville, Florida, plus great-grandson Campbell Graves Cowsar; niece Gwen Clark (Jeff) Fulk and nephew Ike (Sue) Clark of Raymondville, Texas. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 18, 2026, at First Global Methodist Church, 1101 Doherty, Mission, Texas with a reception immediately following at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, 1800 South Second, McAllen. Memorial contributions may be made to Vannie E. Cook, Jr. Cancer Foundation, 101 West Expressway 83, McAllen, Texas, 78503-1341; First Global Methodist Church, 1101 Doherty, Mission, Texas 78572; Palm Valley Animal Society, P.O. Box 1829, Edinburg, Texas 78540. May his memory be a blessing.

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Forrest Neal Runnels, Sr.

March 29, 2026