Truman Gene Rennels

1932 - 2005  (72 years)

• Name	Truman Gene Rennels  [1]
  Birth	28 Jul 1932	Canute, Washita County, Oklahoma   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Death	3 Jul 2005	Medford, Jackson County, Oregon   [1]
  Notes	Mail Tribune - July 4, 2005 Ruch Elementary principal dies Truman Rennels, 72, fell ill Friday from undiagnosed leukemia By JONEL ALECCIA A longtime local educator recently named principal at Medford's Ruch Elementary School died suddenly Sunday. Truman Rennels was 72. Rennels, who fell ill Friday, succumbed to previously undiagnosed leukemia complicated by pneumonia, said his son, Bud Rennels of Medford. "The only thing going strong at the end was his heart," the younger man said. "It was a total shock." Truman Rennels retired from the Eagle Point School District in 1999 after a 25-year career as a teacher, coach and administrator, ending as vice principal at Little Butte School. But he couldn't stay away from education, his family and colleagues said. The Medford man was a frequent classroom substitute who stepped in last spring as vice principal at Eagle Point High School, said Mari Brabbin, the principal there. When the job came available in Ruch this year, Rennels was eager to apply, his son said. "He was just too bored and thought he should take another job," Bud Rennels said. People who knew Rennels characterized him as an energetic, upbeat man who had the best interests of students at heart. "Truman believed that all kids could reach their highest potential," Brabbin said. "He gave every kid a clean slate every day." Rennels was active as an elder in the West Main Church of Christ and he served as an educational consultant for George Fox University, Northwest Christian College and Concordia University. His strong faith caused minor concern after his first staff meeting at Ruch June 7. Rennels asked about the possibility of starting meetings with prayer, raising objections among some staff members. One staffer raised the issue in a casual conversation with Jim Bond, a representative with the Medford teachers' union. Medford school officials investigated the matter and agreed that the request was inappropriate, but did not violate district policy, interim Superintendent Kathy McCollum said before Rennels' death. Religion was a big part of Rennels' life, his son said, noting that Rennels had taken out a life insurance policy that listed the church as his beneficiary. Medford officials expressed shock and dismay at Rennels' death. School Board Chairman Mike Moran said officials would wait for the return of Superintendent Phil Long before taking any action. Two other candidates were considered for the part-time principal's position, he added. A memorial for Rennels is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday at West Main Church of Christ, 1701 W. Main St., Medford. The service will be followed by a potluck lunch, Bud Rennels said. Truman Rennels is survived by his wife, Glenda, two children and six grandchildren. Mail Tribune - July 6, 2005 Truman Gene Rennels The memorial service for Truman Gene Rennels will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 7th at West Main Church of Christ, 1701 West Main Street, Medford, Oregon. Truman was born July 28, 1932 in Canute, Oklahoma. He moved to Oregon in 1944 when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Medford High School in 1951 and married Glenda Winner of Ashland in 1955 after meeting on a blind date. Truman is survived by wife, Glenda Rennels, daughter Kimberly Testerman, son Stephen "Bud" Rennels and 6 grandchildren: Allyson, 23; Jordan, 17; Rylan, 16; Jedidiah, 15; and twins Gabriel and Blain, 13. He was a meat cutter for many years and returned to school graduating from Southern Oregon College with an Education degree in business and math in June 1973. Truman taught and coached at Eagle Point Middle School and High School. He became an Administrator and served in the high school as Athletic Director and as a Vice Principal. He became Vice Principal at Little Butte Elementary in Eagle Point. Truman retired in 1999 but continued to work in the education field as a substitute teacher and administrator. He taught a graduate class for Concordia, Northwestern Christian College and George Fox. He was hired in 2005 by the Medford School District to fill the part time position of Principal at Ruch. He enjoyed volunteering for more than 15 years with the Pear Blossom Run. Truman's life was motivated by a strong Christian Faith. It defined his service to church and family. He served as an Elder at West Main Church of Christ where he was strongly involved in the youth programs, church camp and Mexico Missions. He spent the last seven spring vacations on mission trips to build much needed housing in Mexico. Truman was a husband and father first. His grandchildren were the joy of his life. It's difficult to distill a man's life down to one page in an obituary. Good men are not honored enough in our society. To say Truman was a good man is to understate his impact on the lives around him. Truman lived his faith day by day. He touched everyone who had contact with him by sharing his loving and giving spirit. He will be lovingly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Main Church of Christ, Youth Programs or West Main Church of Christ, Mexico Mission.
  Person ID	I28751	Strong Family Tree
  Last Modified	17 Aug 2014

  
  

  Father	Doyle E. Rennels,   b. 11 Oct 1911, Hammon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma d. 25 Nov 1996, Medford, Jackson County, Oregon (Age 85 years)
  Mother	Alice Simmons,   b. 29 Apr 1912   d. 24 Nov 1979, Oregon (Age 67 years)
  Marriage	Dec 1929	Hammon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma
  Family ID	F9293	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Living
  Children	1. Living   2. Living
  Family ID	F9298	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	25 Mar 2007

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 28 Jul 1932 - Canute, Washita County, Oklahoma Death - 3 Jul 2005 - Medford, Jackson County, Oregon  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Sources

  [S532] Cordell, Lynell Gentry-Family Researcher P.O. Box 1992 Duncan OK 73534-1992 Correspondence, Gedcom, Family Group Sheets, Email.