Obituary of Darell Truitt

Darell G. Truitt of Iowa City passed away July 27, 2022. He was 81 years old. A funeral Mass for Darell is scheduled for Friday, August 5, 10 am at St. Wenceslaus Church (618 E. Davenport St., Iowa City). Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 4, from 4-7 pm at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation (2720 Muscatine Ave., Iowa City). Darell will be laid to rest with military honors at Oakland Cemetery. Darell was born September 1, 1940, the son of Edmund and Geraldine (Moehlis) Truitt. He graduated from Notre Dame Junior and Senior High school in Burlington, Iowa. Darell attended the United States Coast Guard Academy and U.S. Navy Corpsman school. He was stationed at Survival, Evasion, Rescue and Escape (SERE) training in Warner Springs, CA, before serving as a Navy Hospital Corpsman in San Diego, CA. Darell graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Archeology/Anthropology. He went on to work for the U of I as a communications technician for 35 years before retiring. Darell was the type to leave an impression on everyone he met. He was a friend to many and seemed to know someone everywhere he went. He made an effort to help people when needed and he never failed to make you laugh. He was a lifetime hobbyist, with a particular interest in trains, models, and fantasy/historical miniature gaming. An avid reader, during his retirement, Darell also spent 20 years working as a shelver at Barnes & Noble. Darell was first and foremost a family man; a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He was constantly involved in the lives of all his grandchildren, supporting them in all their interests and attending every concert, sporting event, art show, or performance they were a part of. He didn’t like to sit still for longer than he had to (although he always found time to squeeze in a good nap.) Darell will be missed tremendously, but his love of life and his lessons will be remembered and carried with us. Darell’s family include his beloved wife of 56 years, Marilyn; children, Jennifer (Gary) Harney and Robert “Casey” (Angela) Truitt; grandchildren, Leah Harney, Tessa Harney, Joseph Harney, Jarrett Truitt, Kaylee Truitt and Logan Truitt. Sadly, Darell is preceded in death by his siblings, James Truitt, Randall Truitt, William Truitt and Gerald “Tommy” Truitt, and his parents, Edmund and Geraldine. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in support of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Fund to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, P. O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550. On the memo line or on a note attached, please indicate “Gift in memory of Darell G. Truitt.” Credit card gifts may be made at givetoiowa.org. Please continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.