Donald W Truex

Donald W Truex, age 93, passed away peacefully in his sleep September 29, 2023. He was born 2 June 1930 to Walter and Bernice Smith in South Bend, IN. He and his identical twin, Dick, were later adopted at age 12, by Mr. Lawrence Truex, stepfather and Bernice’s second husband. Don was a devoted husband to Nancy Watson for 72 years whom he met at Adams High School, who survives.

Don is also survived by his children: Lynette Mischel (William) Granger, IN; Brent Truex (Chasity), Valparaiso, IN; and Leanne Edwards, Flower Mound, TX. as well as 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

The following is a parody on ‘We Will Remember Him’ by Kamens & Riemer in memory of the life of Donald W. Truex (2 June 1930 – 29 September 2023):

For his humble willingness to take on any task or number of jobs to support his family during his life; we will remember him.

For his love of history and research, we thank librarians, archivists, and authors that allowed him to document his family history and genealogy with stories back to those ancestors who first came to America from Europe; we thank him for his work.

For being the first in his direct family line to get an undergraduate college degree (BSU) and then go on to earn a Master of Arts from Notre Dame; we are proud of him.

For his belief that a quality education for any child can raise one out of difficult circumstances, instill good values and change lives, his legacy lives on in the hearts of his family, student teachers, students and baseball and basketball players he enjoyed teaching and mentoring.

For his close to fifty years of attending Trinity Evangelical Free Church and his life as a believer in Christ; we have peace in knowing Don is with his savior.

For his army service at Fort Jackson, SC during the North Korea War, compassion and gratitude for war veterans and devotion as a patriot to country and democracy; we salute him.

For the smell of fresh cut grass and a meticulously kept yard, we will remember him.

For the high expectations he had for himself and others that promoted excellence in those whose paths he crossed; We will remember him.

For his ability to fix just about anything with brains, hard work and perseverance; We will remember him.

For his ability to win as a baseball and basketball coach as well as an excellent athlete himself with a set of his own ethics and values as well as those internalized from his own coaches and “Wooden-isms” . He played professional baseball in the minor for the Philadelphia Phillies. We will admire and remember Coach Truex.

For his leadership on behalf of those who benefited from his efforts as teacher, coach, assistant principal at South Bend School Corporation Washington H. S, principal at Jefferson Elementary and Junior High, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, teacher of teachers (assistant professor education methods at IUSB) as well as for leading the Easter Seal Society and United Way campaigns for the South Bend schools; We thank him.

For his love of all kinds of music that inspired his family’s love of music; We will remember him when it brings us joy.

For the gratitude he expressed to his caregivers even through his last days; We will continue to express our gratitude to others through his example.

For being obnoxiously early and never late for most time-scheduled events as if school bell just rang; We will forgive you and try.

From his first project in woodworking class as a junior high student, to creating 80 projects in retirement that he mostly gave away including clocks, tables, cradles, and toys while honing his skills; We will remember his passions and benevolence while developing our own.

For his teary eyes each time we had to leave, we cried, too. For as long as we live, he too will live, for his values are now a part of us to be passed along through generations. He will never be forgotten.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 pm on Friday, October 6, at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718S Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46614.. The church service will be at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 61770, Miami Road, South Bend, IN 46614 at 2 pm, Saturday, October 7, followed by a short burial service at Southlawn Cemetery for those who wish to attend. Friend may visit with the family beginning at 1:30 PM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans, or Trinity Church.