Michael Loren Truex

Michael Loren Truex, age 54, went to his final resting place on August 27, 2016 after a short battle with a heart condition. He was born on February 3, 1962 in Tucson, AZ. to his loving parents Newell Ivan Truex and Naomi Ruth Hofferth.

He graduated high school “by the skin on his teeth” as his mom would say. Michael had many job experiences such as working for Leo Gasoline and Sons (where he had many fond memories), Parrish Farms, and he also worked on a fishing boat in Alaska for many years. Michael was very good at building RV’s and he worked for three different RV firms; Trail Wagons, Western RV, and his final job was with Adventures. After leaving Western RV he went to work for Schwan’s and Michael was always one of their best salesmen. You couldn’t say no when he was at your door to buy something delicious. He was the employee of the year.

One of his greatest loves was his daughter Chelsey, who was born in April of 1997, and she was his baby girl. Michael’s life changed after she was born and never missed one of her sporting events. He was a true people person and could make friends anywhere he went. Michael wanted to be the Jerky King! He always said he was so close to hitting the lottery and when he did he was going big in Jerky with his sidekick and #1 hand Mow! He loved trucks and going to the river with his dog. When he was young his dad used to take the boys to the gravel pits to shoot guns. The love of guns never left him. Michael was always looking to buy, sale, or make a trade for a gun. He also enjoyed off-roading and even tipped his new Toyota once… or as far as anyone else knows only once. Michael also walked across the river twice to get to a phone so he could call his brother to pull him out (but even with the help it was too stuck)! Music was another of his passions. He bought a HED speaker, and with his Niko Amp , and when he turned it up he would knock the pictures off the walls! Even to the last of his days Michael could be heard two blocks away or more- even the house stereo was that way! After Chelsey was born, and so he could jam with her in the car, he purchased little ear muffs for her to wear!

Michael’s nieces and nephews knew him as El Diablo! He would lower his voice, raise his hands and growl out “I’m El Diablo” and they would run! Esther came into his life and they were happily together for 13 years. Esther was with Michael to the very end. They were together for the loss of her son and both her parents. They enjoyed going to Little Dutch Inn for breakfast, canning and making jerky together. Michael and Esther were on the phone every 20 minutes or less, and when they were not on the phone they were together.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Chelsey Lizotte: his brother, Pat (Vicki) Truex and their boys Robert and Erick; his sister, Tonya (Julian) Rodriguez and their kids Samantha, Cassandra, and Jr.; his girlfriend, Esther Walker and her family; and numerous other family members and friends. Mike was preceded in death by both his parents.

Viewing and visitation will be Thursday, September 8, 2016 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato, WA. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 2:00pm also at the funeral home with a graveside service to follow at Reservation Community Memorial Park in Wapato, WA. Those wishing to share a memory of Michael please visit www.merrittsfuneralhome.com. Merritt Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.