Raymond William Truesdell Jr.

Raymond was born in Dallas and graduated from Forest Avenue High School (now James Madison High School) in 1951. He attended Arlington State College (now UTA) before enlisting in the Air Force, where he served from 1953-’57. He achieved the rank of Airman First Class and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. The laboratory technician training he received in the Air Force launched a 45-year career as a medical laboratory technologist and in medical laboratory management.

In 1953, he married classmate Josephine “Pete” Gassman, whom he swept off her feet when she came to his class to sell yearbooks, and he blocked the door, detaining the girl who would become his soul mate. Theirs was a loving, 69-year partnership that served as inspiration to family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Josephine of Mesquite; daughter Judy Truesdell of Wylie; daughter Jenifer Christman and her husband Woody of Allen; son Raymond Todd (“Rod”) Truesdell and his wife Barb of Rougemont, NC; son-in-law Ken Koehn of Valrico, FL; granddaughter Jensen Mecca Hodgson, PhD, her husband Joseph, and their daughter Olive of Plano; granddaughter Cassie Koehn Hua, PhD, her husband Zhenyang, and their children Alan and Lily of Barrington, RI; grandson Ben Koehn of Lake Mary, FL; grandson Connor Christman of Allen; grandchild Hannah Truesdell of Greensboro, NC; grandchild Em Truesdell of Greensboro, NC; grandson Patrick Truesdell of Chapel Hill, NC; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter Donna Truesdell Koehn.

Throughout his life, Raymond’s family was his priority. After losing his father at the age of 12, he became the man of the family, a role he never abandoned. He supported and protected his wife, and he beamed with pride at the accomplishments of their children and grandchildren. He was the quintessential family patriarch and leaves footprints that will continue to inspire, though never be filled.

A graveside service for immediate family only is planned Nov 28. Those wishing to leave messages for the family may do so by clicking add a memory button below the service information.