Philip John Truesdale, 74, of Overland Park, Kansas, joined his Savior on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. A celebration of his life will be held at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday, May 1st at 2 p.m.
Phil was born on January 27, 1942 in Chicago, Ill., to Leroy and Alice Truesdale (Willis). At age 12, the family moved to rural Missouri where Phil attended West Plains high school and began his leadership skills by serving as class president in both 9th and 11th grades, student body president in 12th grade; he also received the Lions’ Club Sportsmanship award and the Citizen of the Year Award. Phil and Marjorie were high school sweethearts and married at University of Missouri on December 20, 1962.
Phil was a man dedicated to academia, carrying on a family heritage of a love for learning and reading. After earning his B.A. from University of Missouri, he received a Master of Education from Boston State College, Masters of Divinity from Gordon Conwell in Boston, Mass., and a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. He transferred his love for knowledge into the classroom as a biology teacher, and then into his sermons that were always practical and included at least one joke.
Phil dedicated his life to ministry, working in Mexico, Ecuador, Boston, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Kansas City. Phil touched the lives of countless people, leading many to Christ and encouraging everyone he met to push themselves to be all that God intended them to be.
Phil is survived by his wife Marjorie of 53 years, sons Tim (Michelle) and Dan (Amy) Truesdale, Cesar (Carol) Rivera, daughters Terri (Rod) Fraser and Gena (Steve) Hambleton and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Guatemala Missions fund at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114. Please write checks to Colonial, and include Truesdale Memorial GUA on the memo. To leave a message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelOlathe.com.
