LCDR Ret. Benjamin Truitt
Oct 9, 1937
Aug 17, 2023
LCDR Ret. Benjamin Truitt, 85, transitioned on August 17, 2023 at Creekside Nursing Home.
Visitation 5-7pm Friday, August 25, 2023 at Community Missionary Baptist Church 4909 E. Indian Trail. Funeral 10am Saturday, August 26, 2023 at his church. Burial Evergreen Cemetery. Service live streamed- Shumakefuneralhome. com
Benjamin Truitt was born to Ulysses and Irene Truitt on October 9, 1937 in Memphis, TN. He was the 2nd oldest of their 10 children (five brothers and four sisters: Ulysses, Billy, Ronnie, Charles, David, Mary, Annie, Sylvia, Beverly, Bennie, and Elizabeth.
Benjamin attended Melrose High School in Memphis, TN. He joined the Navy in September, 1955 and retired Lt. Commander in January, 1985. He went from Boot Camp to Lt. Commander in his 30-year career covering numerous duty stations around the world including Morocco, Japan, Philippines, San Diego, California, Washington DC and others.
In 1961 Ben married Joyce Jordan and from this union had four children: Tracy Irene, Benjamin Todd, Tamra Koca (John), and Terri Baker (Stephen). In 1989, he married Laura Pearl Fogle and from this union became stepfather to Glenda Manigault (Harold), John Robert Fogle Jr., and Melissa Stewart (Jeff).
After his Naval Career, Ben earned both a BA and Masters Degree in Education and spent 10 years teaching 5th grade in Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY. He also spent 48 years refereeing both high school and college volleyball, basketball and football. Ben was an avid tennis player and continued in education as a tutor in the Everyone Care Read Program.
Ben was an active member of Community Baptist Church in Newburg and was also a member of the National Association for Black Veterans and American Legion and Fleet Reserve Association.
On Thursday,, August 17, 2023, Benjamin Truitt was called to his heavenly home. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Ronnie, David, Billy, Beverly, Charles and Elizabeth; daughter, Melissa. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Laura Fogle Truitt; children, Tracy, Tamra, Todd, Terri, Glenda and John; six grandchildren, five step grandchildren, two great grandchildren; three siblings, and fourteen nieces and nephews; and host of extended family and friends..
