Kent Jacob Runyan (Kenny), age 22, passed away May 31, 2024. He was born February 14, 2002, in Payson, UT.

Kent was a reckless kid, a rebel at heart. Rules to him were things to be broken. I can still hear my mother yelling, “Kent Jacob Runyan!” as his mouth stretched into a cheeky grin.

Despite the fact that his life was difficult he was not malicious. Sure, he could be a punk, but you never felt he didn’t have your back. All of us who knew him well can agree that he was a strong-willed and an unjudging person.

He didn’t grow up religious but took to it with a passion in his adulthood. I can’t tell you his exact relationship with God, but a quote taken from his journal summarizes how he felt about his death and God, “I trust God with my soul.”

He is gone and we love him. I know he loved us too. We can only accept what happened and understand that he didn’t want to hurt us. What we can do now is honor him by living life in a way that is true and full.

Kent is survived by his parents Jennifer (Shaun) Broderick and Jake Runyan. His siblings Konner, Kimberly, Kori, Kendra and Kayden. His many grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

There will be a lunch/gathering at a later date when we can make sure all the family is here to be with us.