John Truluck Obituary

TRULUCK, JR., John WALTERBORO - Mr. John H. Truluck, Jr., husband of Myra Rosalind Preater Truluck, died Thursday evening at Colleton Medical Center. he was 90. Mr. Truluck was born in Sumter County, January 8, 1918, a son of the late John Hinds Truluck, Sr., and Elizabeth Timmons Hicks Truluck. He graduated from Clemson University in 1938 with a B.S. in Architecture and became the youngest registered architect in South Carolina at the age of 21. His career lead him to Walterboro, where he was employed for Mr. Perry Wilson. At the beginning of WWII, John enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and attended flight school at Moorefield Air Base in McAllen, TX, where he received his flight wings. He received his fighter pilot training in Pensacola, and was then stationed in Horsham, England with the 56th Fighter Group, 63rd Squadron of the Eighth Air Force as a P47 Thunderbolt pilot. He flew 72 missions in his plane, affectionately named "Lady Jane," and earned the status of "Ace" with seven confirmed kills. He later was transferred from the European Theater of War back to the Walterboro Air Base, where he was instrumental in the training of the Tuskegee Airmen. He retired as a Captain, and was awarded many awards and citations, including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross, both with Oak Leaf Clusters. After the war, Mr. Truluck remained in Walterboro, and married Jane McIlhennyn, his sweetheart from flight school. He entered private practice as an Architect, and over the years, was instrumental in the design and construction of many of Walterboro's homes and businesses including the Hampton Street School, the Library, Parker-Rhoden Funeral home, the City Hall and early Court House renovations, and many of the older schools throughout Colleton County. Mr. Truluck was active in retirement as well. He authored the book "The Way It Was" as well as an informational booklet for schoolchildren and teachers called "The History of WWII." He was actively involved with the Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler, GA, and was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Walterboro. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Gov. David Beasley, and was recently honored by having a wing of the new Veterans Victory House named for him. Mr. Truluck was a farmer at heart, and enjoyed gardening, and spending time outdoors. He was known for his yearly Christmas display of Santa's Sleigh on the roof of his home, a tradition that has taken place consecutively for the last 47 years. He was a daily participant in the discussion of issues, and the resolution of world and local problems, with the "Coffee Club" at Hiott's Pharmacy in Downtown Walterboro. He was a great man that will truly be missed. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, John Marshall Truluck, and wife Nancy, of Pawleys Island, and three daughters, Janet T. Fox, of Georgetown, Joye T. Marsh, and husband John, of Myrtle Beach, and Peggy T. Cusick, and husband Phillip, of Pawleys Island. There is one step-son, Greg Spiegel, and wife Cynthia Copeland, of Pasadena, CA, and one step-daughter, Lauren Marlis, of Hilton Head. Mr. Truluck has five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, and the mother of his children, Jane M. Truluck. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 in the Bethel United Methodist Church, with burial following in Live Oak Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Robert Nix will officiate. The family will receive friends at the residence, 309 Woodlawn Street, Saturday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in his memory to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler, GA 31322. PARKER-RHODEN FUNERAL HOME, 117 Paul Street, in Walterboro, is in charge of arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.