David Henry Truitt, farmer, insurance agent

David Henry Truitt, a lifelong resident of Lewes, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's.  Mr. Truitt was born Aug. 30, 1931, on the family farm in Lewes where he lived his entire life.  He was the son of the late William Henry and Anna Emily (Pettyjohn) Truitt.  

Mr. Truitt was a farmer, a school bus owner and an insurance agent.  David was a three-sport athlete at Lewes High School, graduating in 1949.  He attended Catawba College.  David was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean War.  One of his fondest days was when he was accepted into the Jefferson Masonic Lodge.  He earned his 32nd degree and was a Jester, and a member of the Mini-Corvettes.  Watching him in the parades in his Mini-Corvettes really showed David's truly fun-loving spirit. 

David was a member of the Lewes Lions Club.  He was a past member and president of the Cape Henlopen School District school board, serving on the board for 15 years.  He was also a lifelong member of Bethel United Methodist Church where he was a lay leader.  David was a founding member of the Blue Rocks Stadium Club and served for 25 years, never missing a meeting.  Until recently, David had also served on the board of the Bethel Methodist Cemetery in Lewes.

David’s greatest passion was sports, particularly the Eagles and Phillies.  He was a season ticketholder for the Philadelphia Eagles for over 60 years.  He rarely missed a game, driving the entire distance to Philadelphia whenever the Eagles played at home.  He also enjoyed season tickets to the Phillies.  David and the boys (Dickie, Dick, Eddie and Don) would drive to Philadelphia several times a year, and there were always funny incidents to retell after a game.  David is very happy to have left this earth while his beloved Eagles were the reigning Super Bowl champions!

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his infant son, Tobias David; and his son-in-law, Christopher Wilson.  He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Helen (Foley); his children, Stephenie King, Sheila Coffman and her husband John, Sonja Wilson, and Thaddeus and his wife Bonnie (Lesh); and 11 grandchildren, Christine, Casey, Zach, Kiki, Shelby, Jeremy, Olivia, Kaylie, LeeLee, Jake and Lexi, and two great-grandchildren, Harper and Charlotte. 

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 8, at Bethel United Methodist Church, W. 4th Street, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.  A viewing will also be held Thursday, Feb. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where masonic rites will begin at 7 p.m.  Interment will be private on the family farm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Bethel United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Please Visit David’s Life Memorial and sign the online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.