Truman J. Pledger

He is survived by his loving wife, Claire; his children, Trudi Rollan and her husband, Phil, and Scott Pledger and his wife, Donna; and his grandchildren, Tabitha Wood and her husband, Sean, Zack Rollan, and Justin Pledger. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Scarlet and Samuel Wood.

Through his marriage to Claire, spanning four decades, he leaves behind a large extended family, including five stepchildren, Robert E. Butler "Robby" and wife, Anastasia, Randy M. Butler and wife, Amy, Judy C. Lawrence and husband, John, Tracy A. Butler and wife, Toni, Lory B. Rittmeyer and husband, Rick, nineteen step-grandchildren, and twenty-seven step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Mitch and his sister, Donna.

Truman attended Auburn University and turned his attention to supporting his family and embarking on some amazing adventures. In support of his interests and a love of the beach, he worked as a surveyor in the swamps outside of Miami and the Everglades, where the first maps were drawn and used for navigation and building some of the modern roadways we enjoy today. In his spare time, he enjoyed working on cars and race cars with his buddies that competed at Daytona when the beach was used as part of the racetrack. Truman devoted his later adult career supporting NASA through his work with Boeing and Teledyne Brown Engineering. During his tenure, with his skills of drawing, modeling and engineering, he contributed to some of the nation’s most significant space initiatives, including the Skylab and the Lunar Rover, playing a key role in advancing America’s exploration of space.

Truman devoted most of his career supporting NASA through his work with subcontractors including Boeing and Teledyne Brown Engineering. During his tenure, he contributed to some of the nation’s most significant space initiatives, including the Skylab program and the development of the lunar rover vehicle, playing a key role in advancing America’s exploration of space.

After retiring from Boeing in 1995, Truman and Claire traveled the world together, visiting Australia, Europe, and much of the United States. At home, he embraced his role as a beloved family patriarch, affectionately known as “Pappa Truman” to his grandchildren. He found joy in life’s simple pleasures—playing his guitar, tinkering on cars especially his beloved MGB, flying kites at the beach, gardening with Claire, and “piddling” around the house.

Everyone who knew Truman loved him. He was sweet, patient, and kind—never judgmental and always made others feel at ease. He viewed the world with a childlike wonder that could turn everyday moments into grand adventures. His laughter was contagious, his stories legendary. Through it all his love and devotion for his wife Claire never wavered. He truly was one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 3, at Valhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Road NE, Huntsville, Alabama. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by the service at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mitch Pledger Youth Development (https://mpydmovement.com/). The organization, created by Truman’s daughter Trudi in honor of her deceased brother Mitch, is dedicated to empowering youth through health, wellness and human trafficking prevention.