J. C. "Jake" Truitt
1940 - 2019

From his obituary:
J. C. “Jake” Truitt passed from this life to his Eternal life on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at his home in McKinney, TX.  Jake fought a valiant battle with terminal brain cancer.

A Memorial is scheduled Monday, December 16, 11 a.m. at Christ Church Anglican of Plano; 4550 Legacy Dr., Plano, TX 75024.  Interment will follow later at the church. 

Jake and his family are Charter Members of Christ Church that began in 1985 with 10 families growing to a membership of near 3000 over the 35 years.  Jake served on the Vestry as Sr. Warden and was active in many mission outreaches and small groups throughout the years. He also enjoyed serving the community with Meals on Wheels.

Jake was born March 12, 1940, in Jennings, LA to Garvin and Lucille Daw Truitt. He grew up in Center, TX where he graduated in 1958. Jake was a good student, a Boy Scout attaining Eagle Scout, and an athlete playing both football and baseball.  His athleticism afforded him a football scholarship, first to Paris Jr. College, Paris, TX and then to Austin College, Sherman, TX. graduating in 1962. Later he would earn his Master of Education, at the University of Houston. In June of 1962,

Jake married his high school sweetheart, Lynda Herider. They often said they ‘raised’ each other. This June they celebrated their 57th Anniversary. Together, Jake and Lynda have a daughter, Julie Truitt Davis (Barry) and a son Michael, 6 grandchildren; Ashley, Jordan, Victoria Davis and Brittany (fiancé Ryan), Brianna and Preston Truitt, 4 great grandchildren, Caiden, Ryder, and Landry Omas and Gracelynn Truitt.  Jake’s family was a great joy to him.  He is survived also by his sister, Martha Truitt Steger (Eric), brother Jim (Kim), 2 nieces and 2 nephews and 8 great nieces and nephews.

Throughout his academic and professional life Jake was involved in athletics. After being a student- athlete he began his career as an assistant high school football coach and history teacher at Corpus Christi Miller, Channelview and Spring Woods in Spring Branch, TX.  In 1968, Jake was named Head Coach at Sweeny High School, Sweeny, TX. He furthered his coaching career in 1971 by becoming Head Coach at Clear Creek High School in Clear Lake, TX. After 13 years as coach and teacher, Jake changed careers. He began a sales venture in 1973 with Champion Products in their athletic division. His 9 years with them saw him move from sales rep to District Manager then to Regional Manager covering the Western half of the United States including Hawaii.

In 1985, Jake and Lynda started a sports photography company.  Mike joined them in 1991.  As a family business, Visual Services of Tx would run successfully for 28 years. He retired in 2006 leaving the business to his son Mike.

His retirement was filled with his passion for golf, second only to football. He had the opportunity to play some world class golf courses, including a trip to Scotland and Ireland with his beloved for their 40th anniversary. As an avid reader and life-long student of history, Jake enjoyed learning all he could about WWII.  He expanded his thirst for learning at Collin College where he enjoyed history classes, teaching a class about the History of Football and making new friends in the Seniors in Active Learning classes.  Jake never stopped learning all he could of the world around him. He was preparing to teach a course on the History of Scotland and Ireland when he became ill.

His love of his family, his students, his professional connections, golfing and church friends give a reflection of the man himself. A man who loved God and served others with his many gifts and talents with integrity, honesty and humility. He has left his influence on many lives for the good. He will be missed. God Rest his Soul in Perfect Peace.

Donations may be made in his name to First Tee of Greater Dallas www.firstteedallas.org