Another Sad Farewell

We spent Friday and Saturday of this week in tiny Marlin, TX. Ray's Uncle Truett passed away last week. There is not much I can say that his obituary doesn't. He was a good man- family oriented and invloved in his community. We are so proud that our son shares his name.

From The Marlin Democrat:

H. T. TORGERSON
April 19, 1923 - Mar. 18, 2009

Henry Truett "Torg" Torgerson died March 18, 2009. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Marlin with the Rev. Eric Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Waite Cemetery in Reagan.

Mr. Torgerson was born April 19, 1923 in Beeville, to Henry Thomas and Corine Thames Torgerson. He graduated from A.C. Jones High School in Beeville in 1941. He then attended John Tarleton Jr. College in Stephenville, graduating in 1943 as a member of the R.O.T.C. On June 4, 1943 he was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He trained for 21 weeks at Camp Roberts, California. Then, as a member of the 91st Division, he was shipped to Africa and then to Italy. He served there in two campaigns and received two battle stars and the Bronze Star. He was a combat rifleman and a radio operator, serving in the Army from 1943 to 1945.

Following the war he returned to college graduating from North Texas State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts and a Master of Science degree. At North Texas he was a member of Alpha Chi and Phi Delta Kappa. He married Ruth Ann Davison of Reagan on June 24, 1950. He taught school for two years in Mississippi then came to Marlin and taught 31 years in all. He taught "shop", drafting and history and later was teacher of Industrial Cooperative Training known as I.C.T. in the Vocational Dept. He was a member and a deacon of First Baptist Church of Marlin and taught a men's Sunday school class. He was a member of the Marlin Noon Lions Club and served a term as President. He also owned a furniture restoration shop. He was a gifted craftsman and gave new life to many pieces of furniture, especially antiques.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years Ruth Ann,; daughter Carolyn Hiatt and husband Keith of Greensboro, N.C.; son, Don and wife Audrey of Keosauqua, Iowa; daughter Janet Sanders and husband Shane of Waco. Eight grandchildren, Matthew Hiatt and wife Lindsey, Stuart Sanders and wife Anna, Andrew Hiatt, Daniel Sanders, Susannah Sanders, Kim Crucean and husband Jeff, Richard Claypoole, Michelle Tucker and husband Keith, Great grandchildren, Wayne, Jeffrie, Lauren and Abigail. He is also survived by his brother, Burnett Torgerson and wife Gaynell of Corpus Christi and numerous nieces, nephews, one great nephew and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Jeralde Torgerson.Pallbearers will be Matthew Hiatt, Andrew Hiatt, Stuart Sanders, Daniel Sanders, Dr. James Cathey, Dr. James Bryan, Michael Milnes and Jim Woliver.

Honorary pallbearers will be the deacon body of First Baptist Church, all members of the Marlin Noon Lions Club and Charles Ray Evans.Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Marlin, Marlin Noon Lions Club, Marlin Public Library or The Allen House.

The service was wonderful. Truitt was well behaved and very dapper in his navy suit- even though he wouldn't wear his tie. The burial was nice. He recieved military honors, which was very touching. The weather was so pretty and quiet country cemetary near his wife Ruthann's family property was so peaceful. Afterward, we all went to a lunch at the church. It was a sad occasion to facilitate it, but it was wonderful to meet some more of Ray's extended family.