Bishop Emeritus Rec. Vernon R. “Bud” Truitt Jr., 85

Bishop Emeritus Rec. Vernon R. “Bud” Truitt Jr., 85, of Millville, Del., passed away Friday, May 11, 2012, at home.

Born in Berlin, Md., he was the son of the late Vernon R. Truitt, Sr. and Jennie Pearl Downs Truitt. He graduated from Lord Baltimore High School and earned his bachelor’s degree of theology, master’s degree and doctorate of divinity. He loved to research and study many books on many different subjects.

Truitt was a pioneer Pentecostal preacher and church planter for 47 years, establishing churches from Maryland to Maine, and then evangelizing throughout the United States for the Church of God. He mentored many ministers as pastors and evangelists and was the founder of as many as 18 churches. In his efforts to spread God’s word to the world, he traveled to such places as Brazil, Korea and Mexico. He was known to truly love the people that God put in his life and would do anything for them. His passion and desire to win the lost at any cost was of utmost importance. He is remembered a man who truly walked with God. Truitt also served in the United States Navy, the Fleet Marines, Merchant Marines and the Reserve Army Tank Corps. He worked alongside of the Maryland District Attorney in Montgomery County and was the President of the Southeast Sussex County Ministerium.

Truitt is survived by his wife and devoted companion of 59 years, Betty Jane Truitt; five sons, Bruce, Michael, David, Christopher and Matthew; two daughters, Shirley Byrne and Quinette Mahlow; sister, Joan Morin; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, along with their families. He has also unofficially adopted many special loved ones as his own.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road in Ocean View, Del. A funeral service will be Friday, May 18, at 11 a.m. at Beth’el Tabernacle Church in Frankford. Interment will follow in the adjoining church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beth’el Tabernacle Building Fund; 34180 Omar Rd.; Frankford, DE 19945, or to Delaware Hospice; 100 Patriots Way; Milford, DE 19963, to whom the family is grateful for their care and support through this time of sorrow.