Donald W. Truesdale

On December 20, 2013 at 12:20am, Donald Wayne Truesdale sat up in his bed, a glimmer in his beautiful sapphire eyes, stretched out his arms ready to embrace Jesus Christ. Donald hadn’t sat up or opened his eyes in weeks, and when he did we know who came to get him. So, after 83 years of life, 52 years of blissful marriage, 4 beautiful children, 6 blessings of grandchildren, and nine (almost 10) adorable grandchildren, Donald finally said “See Ya Later” and took off with Jesus.

Don was born to Russell Thair and Sarah Maude Truesdale in Cadillac, Michigan on February 22, 1930. He had five brothers, and one sister. He always used to joke with us, especially when his youngest great-grandson was born, that his mother deserved a medal for all that hard work with six boys. Don’s father was a Free Methodist Preacher and Carpenter, and his mother during the War worked in a warehouse. The family was very poor, but as Don always told his granddaughter Dany, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” Don’s childhood was unfortunately a lonely, miserable, speech impaired one, but through hard work, determination, forgiveness and absolute love you would have never known anything terrible had ever happened to him.

Donald caught the eye of one Sally Irene Carlson and on May 10, 1949 they were married, and would spend the next 52 years together. They were graced with four children, whom they loved more than words could identify. There was something special about the birth of each of his children that Donald would later recall, of course the stories were always told with his sense of humor: the birth of his first child, Lynne, Donald would always say, with a glimmer in his eyes, he was disappointed because Sally couldn’t hold out on giving birth for six more hours so that he and Lynne could have the same birthday; his son, Terry, the doctor came out to tell the family it was a bouncing, beautiful baby boy (or so was the expectation of the family) and that he was completely grown and ready to start on steak and potatoes; Elaine, was born and when Don went in to see her, he was immediately struck by the fact that Elaine had copious amounts of beautiful black hair; and finally Thair, who he would always joke with and say he was the milkman’s.

The Truesdale’s were a happy family who resided in Englewood, Colorado. As the family grew older it also grew bigger. Lynne married and had his daughter Lynne; Thair married and was graced with Angela and Marcus; Elaine married and gave Don his second grandson, Nathan, and Terry married and blessed Don and Sally with twin girls, Danielle and Chelsea. Don was known to tease, tease and tease some more his grandchildren. He used to tease Lynne by counting his fingers incorrectly just to see her get frustrated, he would use his own version of hide and seek by telling Marcus and Angela “see my pinky? See my thumb? See my fist? You better run!” and he would mess with Nathan, Dany and Chelsea by taking out his false teeth and laugh because they would try so hard to get their teeth out. The family continued to grow with Don’s great-grandchildren, Brandy, Alex, Quinnten, Noah, Layne, Brianna, Nattalie, and Haeleigh. Each great-grandchild was important to him, but a year before he died when Dany gave birth to Haeleigh Noel he went home just shining, brimming with pride telling Wanda “I saw the most beautiful baby girl today, and she just happens to be my granddaughter.”

Don was a teasing, joking, ornery man by mind, an introvert by body and a teacher by soul. He taught his family the value of a dollar, respect, honor, dignity, faith, forgiveness and most importantly: LOVE. These are the teachings his surviving family will cherish and teach further for generations.

Don was known by many different names, Donald W., Don, Dad, Pop, Grandpa, Cotton, Old Man and Great Papa. He was an incredible man who leaves his family with a legacy unlike any other. Although we will miss the “Hey, How ya doin’?” and the “Whatchya doin,?” we acknowledge the fact that the one he needed to say this to the most was those who have passed before him, and we are happy he is home.

Don is preceded in death by his father, Russell Thair Truesdale; mother, Sarah Maude Garne Truesdale; brothers, Elmer, Lloyd, Claude, Wendel; sister, Joyce; beloved wife, Sally; one unborn child, and his great-granddaughter Madisyn Grace Truesdale, who he is probably teasing in heaven right about now.

Don has made heaven so much closed to those who treasured him which includes, his significant other, Wanda, who did the very best job of taking care of him for twelve years; brother, Milburn (aka Uncle Jack); brother-in-law, Niles and Mary Ellen Carlson; sister-in-law, Pat; beloved nieces Darla and Paula; children, Lynne and Laura, Terry and Sheri, Elaine and Mike, Thair and Jenny; grandchildren, Lynne and Bren, Angela and Ryan, Marcus and Stacie, Nathan, Danielle, Chelsea and Haechan; great-grandchildren, Brandy, Alex, Quinnten, Noah, Layne, Brianna, Nattalie and Haeleigh. He also survives his very best friend, Stan with whom he shared so many wonderful memories.

In the intrest of keeping Don’s funeral a celebration, it was one of his last wishes that NO ONE WORE BLACK. Please wear a bright color to symbolize our joy in his homecoming.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. The greatest of which is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13