Truell Padgett

Truell R Padgett, 84, of Waco, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2010 in Cameron. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Rosemound Cemetery with Steven Schwarz and Mitchell Parrish officiating. Visitation with the family will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Truell R Padgett was born in Hill County September 23, 1925 to James Padgett and Katie Flores Padgett. He attended local schools and spent most of his life in Waco at the Turner Street Baptist Church. Truell entered the Navy at the age of 17 and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. At the war's conclusion, Truell returned home and married his sweetheart Clara Uzzel at the Turner Street Baptist Church. He entered the lumber business and attended night school to complete his secondary education and pursued post secondary courses as well. Truell and Clara spent their entire married life in Waco. They were blessed with a son in 1949. When Cecil Ray was an infant, Truell purchased the family home in Waco remodeling it over time. It would be his home for nearly 60 years. A daughter, Trudy Lynn, was born in 1954 and the family was complete.

Truell worked at the Gross Yowell Lumber Company for 30 years and one day. He managed their warehouse and his many friends there liked to call him "TR". Truell enjoyed fishing, camping, picnicking, and learning about birds. He especially enjoyed spending time with his four brothers, Flores, Awood, James and Duane. Cecil and Trudy have wonderful memories of the time that Truell spent with them in recreation and family time. He was beloved by many nieces and nephews as "Uncle Tooty".

Truell was an ordained deacon in the Southern Baptist Church and served as a Sunday school teacher along with many church responsibilities.

Over time, the family grew with the addition of a daughter-in-law, Martha and a son-in-law, Gene. Grandchildren added greatly to Truell and Clara's happiness. Clara went to be with the Lord in 1996, but Truell bravely remained a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin. They had been married for 50 years. His emphasis on family ties has been a legacy for his children. Although we will miss him, his life was a testament of faith and love and we look forward to joining he and Clara in heaven with Jesus one day.
He was preceded in death by his wife; and one brother, James Padgett.

Truell is survived by his son, Cecil Padgett and wife, Martha of Hillsboro; his daughter, Trudy Mekush and husband, Gene of Cameron; brothers, Flores Padgett of Hillsboro, Awood Padgett of Waco and Duane Padgett and wife, Carolyn of Temple; grandchildren, Brad Padgett and wife, Julie of Hillsboro, Kim Padgett of Hillsboro; Katie Schwarz and husband, Steven of Fort Worth and Jared Thomas of Cameron; and great-grandchildren,. John, Matthew, Kolby and Addison Padgett all of Hillsboro.

Memorials may be directed to the Bed & Breakfast program at the Salvation Army in Waco in Truell's memory.