John Wellington (Skippy) Truitt, Jr.

Dr. Skip Truitt, a 3rd generation Gainesvillite, died after living a full life.  He was surrounded by his wife and children in his home.

Skippy spent his first two years travelling with his parents while his father, Dr. Truitt, Sr., was deployed with the Army Air Corps.  The Truitts returned to the family home on Lindsay Street in 1945, where Skippy spent his childhood.

During his early school years, he enjoyed outdoor sports, Boy Scout outings and weekends at the Lake Texoma family retreat.  At 14, Skip was honored to be the youngest Eagle Scout to attend the Boy Scout World Jubilee in 1957 – a two-month tour of Europe instilled a lifelong love of travel.

In high school, Skippy Truitt led the GHS marching band as their drum major.  For 4 years he led every Gainesville parade and brought a cheering crowd to their feet as he “High Stepped” the length of the football field to the tune of the GHS fight song.

He graduated with honors in 1961 and continued his education, graduating from TCU in 1963 and Baylor Dental School in 1967.

Skip followed in his father’s footsteps and practiced dentistry in Gainesville before he ventured into his passion of teaching orthodontics.  A 57-year career allowed him to combine his love of travel while teaching around the world.

Dr. Truitt has received multiple awards and recognitions for his profession and published words.  Dr. Skip is a Mason, a past -Scout Master, a Rotarian, a Shriner, and a member of the International Association for Orthodontics.

Dr. Truitt is survived by his wife Dr. Livier Carreon-Truitt, his son John W. Truitt III and wife Ashley of Durango, Colorado, his grandson Nash Truitt, his daughter Lara Watkins-Truitt of London, UK, his sister Linda Truitt-Hawkins and her husband Larry of Rockport Texas, his nephew Josh P. Wilson and his wife Angela of Rockport, Texas.

The family wishes to acknowledge his faithful business manager Lourens Du Preez, his friend and long-time CPA Ronald Reedy and the hard-working staff of the Triple-O Lab with special thanks to Home Hospice and his nurse Sheri.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Shriners Hospital for Children or the charity of your choice.

A celebration of life will be held at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home, 602 Lindsay St, Gainesville, TX 76240 on Saturday, September 14 2024 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception immediately following in the Truitt home at 1202 Lindsay St, Gainesville, TX 76240.