Roy Stewart Runsick

Of Melbourne, Arkansas

Roy Stewart Runsick, son of the late Herman Runsick and Evelyn Stewart Runsick, was born December 20, 1949in Batesville, Arkansas.  He departed this life May 2, 2025 at his home in Melbourne, Arkansas at the age of 75.

Roy attended Ash Flat Elementary and graduated from Highland High School in 1968.  Roy Earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas and began his career teaching fifth grade in Melbourne Elementary and completing his 15 years as a teacher in the Evening Shade School District.

In addition to his teaching career, Roy and his wife Sharon built and managed a commercial egg production operation for many years while raising two sons, Stewart Runsick and an adopted son Scottie Runsick.

Following his years as an educator, Roy earned his certificate as an Artificial Insemination specialist and began his second career as the manager of a large farming operating in the Ash Flat area.  Roy had always felt a great responsibility to protect and improve God's great gifts of land and water, so he used this love of learning to build upon his skills and worked with the USDA Soil Conservation and Cooperative Extension agencies to participate in numerous experimental programs and conservation practices.

Roy had a natural talent for Artificial Insemination and became a certified agent for ABS Global, Inc. and Genex Cooperative, Inc. where he won numerous awards.  In 1993 he received state recognition for producing superior cattle in the Arkansas Steer Feedout program.

Following his strong faith in the teaching of Jesus Christ, Roy spent his spare time participating in community service programs such as the Sharp and Izard County Fair associations; Tri County Cattlemen Association; and earned an Honorary Chapter FFA Degree in 1994.

Roy married Suzanne Cook in 2020 and they began Roy's next 25 years as an award-winning cow/calf producer on Suzanne's family farm in Melbourne.  The two retired educators began their life together building a home and cattle business along with community service projects as 4-H leaders for the Footprints 4-H program; Historical Society members; and gardening enthusiasts, sharing the products of their efforts with community charities and neighbors.  For their efforts they were awarded the honors of being named Izard County Farm Family of the Year and District Farm Family in 2014.

Roy is survived by his wife Suzanne of the home; two sons:  Stewart Runsick and wife Kathy of Paragould and Scottie Runsick of Memphis, Tennessee; two brothers:  Herman Runsick, Jr. and his wife Evelyn of Evening Shade and Gene Runsick of Evening Shade; one sister:  Judy Batterton and husband Kohn of Franklin; three grandchildren:  Kyle Runsick, Taylor Runsick and Jonathan Runsick; one great granddaughter:  Collins Kate Runsick; two stepsons:  Keith Bangs of Springdale and Brad Bangs and his wife Paige of Greenbrier; three step grandchildren:  Jonathan Owen and Abbey Bangs along with a host of other relatives and many good friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister:  Joanne Runsick.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Cremation arrangements by Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne.

In lieu of cards or flowers, the family requests a donation to a 4-H Club or Foundation of your choice, just contact your county Cooperative Extension Service.