CAMDEN - God gave me the gift of life through my parents, Lawton M. Truesdale (deceased) and Virginia S. Truesdale on November 20, 1948. I have been a fortunate man who led a successful and full life in Camden, SC. For 30 years I worked at the City of Camden in the electrical and administration department. I retired in 1996. In 2012, I was diagnosed with cancer. I knew the cancer was terminal, but decided to be happy about having had a full life, rather than sad about having to die. This outlook was possible through my faith in God and never losing sight of eternal life in Heaven. After my diagnosis, Linda retired so we could spend all of our time together. I continued to fly-fish, go to flea markets, work on antique tools, read gun and car books, and love and enjoy my family and friends. God blessed me with a wonderful family. I have been loved and cared for by my wife of 46 years, Linda Collins Truesdale, whom I love with all of my heart and by my wonderful and devoted son, Dr. Derek I. Truesdale (Dr. Michael Gisondi) who now live in Chicago, IL. On the day Derek was born, I experienced the greatest joy of my life. I have also been blessed by the birth and amazing life of my beautiful granddaughter Abigail Gisondi Truesdale. And always by my side has been Maggie, my faithful four-legged companion of over 11 years. My sister Iva T. Baker, brothers Jody Truesdale (Danielle), James Truesdale (Nancy), mother and father-in-law Nick and Catherine Collins, sister-in-law, Judy C. Cox (Larry) brothers-in-law Billy Collins, Donald E. Collins, (Toni), the late Andy Collins, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends have all contributed greatly to my life. Thank you to Dr. Steven Madden & staff, Libby Daniels RN, OCN and Tri-County Hospice for helping us along this journey. Friends and family, I want you to know that in the long haul, everything is going to be all right. Prayer has enabled me to be at peace with myself and has given me knowledge that we all will have an eternity together. Only with God is that possible. As for me, I can see a beautiful heaven with boundless streams for fly fishing where my Daddy and I will soon be fly fishing together. My family will gather for my visitation at Powers Funeral Home in Lugoff, SC on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The Reverend David Weaver will officiate a private service and graveside burial for me. In Lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Hospice Care of Tri-County, 2039 West DeKalb Street, Camden, SC 29020 or to the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Foundation bulletproof vest fund, PO Box 664, Camden, SC 29021. To all, I close by saying be grateful for what you have been blessed with, be true to yourself, laugh until you can't laugh anymore, and always remember this quote from Old Yeller. "What I mean is, things like that happen. They may seem might cruel and unfair, but that's how life is a part of the time. But that isn't the only way life is. A part of the time, it's mighty good. And a man can't afford to waste all the good part, worrying about the bad parts. That makes it all bad” ? Fred Gipson, Old Yeller