Cole Truitt

Cole Alan Truitt, age 36, was called home the evening of December 8, 2018, in Kansas City, MO. Cole was born to Mary and Kris Truitt on August 23, 1982, in St. Charles, Missouri and was the eldest brother to Cade and Karl. Ever the studious individual, Cole prided in his scholastic achievements. A National Merit Scholar, he was an English major at John Brown University (2005) and attended the University of Arkansas - School of Law (Juris Doctor, Magna cum laude, 2013).

Cole enlisted with the rank of Specialist (E4) into the Arkansas Army National Guard as a Paralegal Specialist on June 1, 2009. Cole contracted with ROTC at the University of Arkansas in 2010 as a Simultaneous Membership Program Cadet where he was lovingly referred to as "Grandpa Truitt" by his classmates and shone as a mentor and leader within the program. On November 8, 2017, he transferred branches to the Field Artillery after graduating the Field Artillery Captain's Career Course at Fort Sill, OK. He served with Alpha Battery, 1-142nd FA before resigning his commission from the military November 14, 2018 as a First Lieutenant. Throughout his service, Cole strove to be a mentor and personal resource to all; he was well-loved by all he served with. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, German Armed Forces Badge, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (x3), and the Arkansas Service Ribbon.

His dream was to have a home on the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf Shores was his happy place. Cole enjoyed swanky cigars, grilling for friends and family, and critiquing sushi restaurants. He loved basketball and was an enthusiast of League of Legends championships, often staying awake until 2 AM to watch it streamed from South Korea. Cole sang alt-indie tunes at the top of his lungs in the mornings and chilled out at The Green Lady Lounge jazz hall at nights, beating his fingers to the rhythm of the stand up bass. An avid board-gamer, Cole found nights of RISK, Settlers of Catan, and Axis & Allies with friends irresistible.

Cole will be remembered for how he was present for those in need, whether it be an attentive ear, a sharing of meals, a deep and kind smile, or a ping-pong challenge. Cole had the same laugh as his father and always said that he was his hero. Every morning, he looked forward to his mother’s texts because they reminded him that, no matter what, Mary’s love was present. Cole’s greatest loves in his life were his two daughters, Lyric and Wren. He believed that Lyric inherited his brilliance and composure and Wren his spontaneity and boldness. He would boast about his two wonderful, kind daughters and often said he could not be more proud of who they were becoming.

Cole is survived by his daughters Lyric and Wren and their mother, Erin Truitt of Bella Vista, AR; parents Mary and Kris Truitt of Cleburne, TX; brothers Cade, his wife Marcia Truitt and their two children, Eva and Ansel of Nashville, TN; Karl of Boulder, CO; Michael Sather and wife Kim and their children Austin, Mason and Maddy of La Crosse, WI; and Christopher Sather and his son Bryce of La Crosse, WI; partner Simone Cottrell; grandmother Mary Muller of La Crosse, WI; uncles, Mark Truitt and wife Catherine, Steven Muller, Mike Muller and wife Mary; aunts, Suzanne Cole and husband Tom, and Carol Kay Grider and husband Mike; special ex-sister-in-law Megan Sebeck and many cousins and amazing friends.

Please join us in celebrating the life of a man who gave his all to this world and is now resting in peace for eternity. Viewing is Friday, December 14, from 5 - 7 PM at the Crosier Pearson Funeral Home, Cleburne, Texas. Funeral is Saturday, December 15, at 11 AM at the Cleburne Bible Church, Cleburne, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cole’s honor to the Cleburne Bible Church Benevolence fund http://www.cleburnebible.org/online-giving/giving-at-cbc/