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In Memory of

Truhill, Geraldine H.

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Obituary
Tribute Wall
Obituary of Truhill, Geraldine H.

Geraldine Hamilton Truhill of Richardson, Texas, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013 in Irving, Texas. She was 84 years old. "Jerri" was born in Pampa, Texas to Watson Bennick Hamilton and Belva Loneita Guinn Truhill. She lived a very interesting life.Ā  She was one of the Mercury 13 - the women of the Mercury EraĀ  Space Program in the early 60's and was a test pilot. Jerri T. was first exposed to flying at the age of 4, when she sat in the cockpit of an airplane that flew her father to a business meeting in Texas. The bug bit, bit hard and never let go - and she let her father know she loved flying. However, her father's advice was reflective of the era: "Work hard, do well in school and you can grow up to be an air hostess and fly all the time". Jerri, of course, protested saying she wanted to be a PILOT!Ā  Her father did his best to explain the facts of life in that era, "Honey, girls just don't fly airplanes, that's MENS work". Well, if you know Jerri, standards of an era like that are a minor inconvenience, at best. When she was 15, she began taking flying lessons after school without the knowledge of her parents. She was determined and wasn't about to let antiquated thinking deter her. Unfortunately she was caught - her Mother was APPALLED! Ā And Jeri was sent off to a Catholic school in San Antonio. Ā It never diminished her desire though, nor changed her mind. It was simply a speed bump in the airway of life and pretty soon she would be past that bump. By 1960 she had proved her point - if Jerri makes up her mind to do something, there isn't anything that will keep her from her goal. She was now one of the county's most experienced pilots. Based out of Dallas, Texas, she was in partnership with one of the greatest pilots she ever met, Joe Truhill (who she would eventually wed). They flew North American B-25's, the venerable twin-engine bomber from WWII and Korea, the same planes used by Jimmy Doolittle and his Raiders to bomb Tokyo in 1942. They flew them under contract to Texas Instruments, Incorporated, developing the Terrain Following Radar (TFR) and "smart" bombs that were later known for their great job in the Gulf War. Harrowing and VERY dangerous flying, they would launch at night due to the absolute secrecy of the missions and fly out over the Gulf of Mexico. Then they would drop down right on the deck sometimes churning water with their props, and turn on the TFR and let it go. Those of you that are pilots recognize the inherent dangers of doing this: darkness, no visible horizon reference, down LOW, unable to visually detect relationship to the water or even SEE it, and trusting a new, untried system with your life at speeds in excess of 180 knots. It was VERY top-secret stuff, and scary! Jerri T. also participated in numerous Air Races and has a ton of trophies to prove it! She proceeded to Albuquerque, NM on April 2, 1961 where she met her roommate and new friend, Bea Steadman. After Jerrie Cobb completed her testing, Bea and Jerri T. came along prior to the selection of the next 22. Needless to say, she excelled as well as Bea and Jerrie Cobb, and became one of the Mercury 13 only to be, as she says, "Scuppered by NASA", never being selected for further training. Jerri T. returned to her business with Joe and Texas Instruments, and they also purchased some surplus P-51 Mustang (WWII Fighters). She became a model for a new Lycra flight suit, and flew around the Country modeling in her pink P-51. In addition to her flying career, Jerri T. also served as Vice President for two companies: Air Freighters International and Air Services, Inc. Air Freighters International flew freight into South America and brought back the finished products, with a fleet of 12 DC 6s and 4 YS-11s. Air Services, Inc. was a test pilot and plane company that did all the flight testing for Texas Instruments. By the way, a true testament to this lady's fortitude and skills, came to light when her partner Joe Truhill was arrested on politically trumped up charges in South America. Although everyone knew and agreed the charges were bogus, and a vehicle for a local despot to obtain their airplane, the State Department never really would help out. Think that would stop Jerri? Not a chance. She participated in the organization of a group of people who went down and shall we say "secured his release". Stuff that would make a GREAT movie. Interment will be on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Restland Memorial Park. Please send family condolences and sign the guestbook on this website.

Tribute Wall of Truhill, Geraldine H.

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Comments

  1. Richard L Eaton says:

    My name is Rick and I worked for Joe and came to know them both. That was the first time I ever cried for a man when Jeri told me. I had to pull the phone away and could not speak. I must have loved that guy. Yep!

    Her too. I spoke to her several times after your grandpa passed.

    Then she was gone. Loved her too!

    I am more than fortunate.

    Thanx

    Richard L Eaton

    Friday May 12, 2023

    My name is Rick and I worked for Joe and came to know them both. That was the first time I ever cried for a man when Jeri told me. I had to pull the phone away and could not speak. I must have loved that guy. Yep!

    Her too. I spoke to her several times after your grandpa passed.

    Then she was gone. Loved her too!

    I am more than fortunate.

    Thanx

  2. Lanelle Mathis says:

    I just heard of the passing of my sweet friend Jerri. To say Jerri was an inspiration to woman would not be giving her enough credit. I have never met or will ever meet anyone like her. I could sit an talk with her for hours on end and never get tired of her stories or her charm. I miss those days sitting in her den or walking into the bird room chatting. The world has lost an amazing woman.

    Lanelle Mathis

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    I just heard of the passing of my sweet friend Jerri. To say Jerri was an inspiration to woman would not be giving her enough credit. I have never met or will ever meet anyone like her. I could sit an talk with her for hours on end and never get tired of her stories or her charm. I miss those days sitting in her den or walking into the bird room chatting. The world has lost an amazing woman.

  3. Cindy Marie Walker says:

    Jeri Truhill was my grandmother. I was fortunate to spend quality time with my grandmother throughout my life. Unfortunately we were not in contact the last years of her life, but my memories and the video documentaries I was so fortunate to capture will continue to tell her story to her great-grandchildren. Unfortunately there is no mention here of her surviving daughter, my mother, Candice Clark Abbott, her three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Jeri Truhill was truly a strong and focused woman who knew what she wanted in life and worked hard to achieve it. I saw her and will remember her as a woman whose both strengths and sacrifices helped pave the way for women to have a place in both space and society as a whole.

    Cindy Marie Walker

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Jeri Truhill was my grandmother. I was fortunate to spend quality time with my grandmother throughout my life. Unfortunately we were not in contact the last years of her life, but my memories and the video documentaries I was so fortunate to capture will continue to tell her story to her great-grandchildren. Unfortunately there is no mention here of her surviving daughter, my mother, Candice Clark Abbott, her three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Jeri Truhill was truly a strong and focused woman who knew what she wanted in life and worked hard to achieve it. I saw her and will remember her as a woman whose both strengths and sacrifices helped pave the way for women to have a place in both space and society as a whole.

  4. Dorothy Rice Truly says:

    I knew nothing of my cousin’s death until today, December 20, 2013. I wish that I had known.
    Jerri was a great lady,friend, and relative. She was definitely an asset to our family. I loved my good hearted cousin!!

    Dorothy Rice Truly

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    I knew nothing of my cousin's death until today, December 20, 2013. I wish that I had known.
    Jerri was a great lady,friend, and relative. She was definitely an asset to our family. I loved my good hearted cousin!!

  5. Ulrike Kubatta says:

    It was a true privilege to meet Jerri and an extraordinary experience to work with her.

    Making She Should Have Gone To The Moon with Jerri showed me what it means to dream big and not back down.

    Ulrike Kubatta

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    It was a true privilege to meet Jerri and an extraordinary experience to work with her.

    Making She Should Have Gone To The Moon with Jerri showed me what it means to dream big and not back down.

  6. Sherri J. Belmorris says:

    Although I did not know Jerri, I knew her step daughter Mary Truhill. Mary was such a blessing to her step mom, she loved her with her heart and gave so very much of herself to care for and be there for her to the very end. May God bless each and every family member and now she is forever in Gods hands.

    Sherri J. Belmorris

    Sherri J. Belmorris

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Although I did not know Jerri, I knew her step daughter Mary Truhill. Mary was such a blessing to her step mom, she loved her with her heart and gave so very much of herself to care for and be there for her to the very end. May God bless each and every family member and now she is forever in Gods hands.

    Sherri J. Belmorris

6 thoughts on “Truhill, Geraldine H.”

  1. Richard L Eaton

    My name is Rick and I worked for Joe and came to know them both. That was the first time I ever cried for a man when Jeri told me. I had to pull the phone away and could not speak. I must have loved that guy. Yep!

    Her too. I spoke to her several times after your grandpa passed.

    Then she was gone. Loved her too!

    I am more than fortunate.

    Thanx

    Richard L Eaton

    Friday May 12, 2023

    My name is Rick and I worked for Joe and came to know them both. That was the first time I ever cried for a man when Jeri told me. I had to pull the phone away and could not speak. I must have loved that guy. Yep!

    Her too. I spoke to her several times after your grandpa passed.

    Then she was gone. Loved her too!

    I am more than fortunate.

    Thanx

  2. I just heard of the passing of my sweet friend Jerri. To say Jerri was an inspiration to woman would not be giving her enough credit. I have never met or will ever meet anyone like her. I could sit an talk with her for hours on end and never get tired of her stories or her charm. I miss those days sitting in her den or walking into the bird room chatting. The world has lost an amazing woman.

    Lanelle Mathis

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    I just heard of the passing of my sweet friend Jerri. To say Jerri was an inspiration to woman would not be giving her enough credit. I have never met or will ever meet anyone like her. I could sit an talk with her for hours on end and never get tired of her stories or her charm. I miss those days sitting in her den or walking into the bird room chatting. The world has lost an amazing woman.

  3. Cindy Marie Walker

    Jeri Truhill was my grandmother. I was fortunate to spend quality time with my grandmother throughout my life. Unfortunately we were not in contact the last years of her life, but my memories and the video documentaries I was so fortunate to capture will continue to tell her story to her great-grandchildren. Unfortunately there is no mention here of her surviving daughter, my mother, Candice Clark Abbott, her three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Jeri Truhill was truly a strong and focused woman who knew what she wanted in life and worked hard to achieve it. I saw her and will remember her as a woman whose both strengths and sacrifices helped pave the way for women to have a place in both space and society as a whole.

    Cindy Marie Walker

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Jeri Truhill was my grandmother. I was fortunate to spend quality time with my grandmother throughout my life. Unfortunately we were not in contact the last years of her life, but my memories and the video documentaries I was so fortunate to capture will continue to tell her story to her great-grandchildren. Unfortunately there is no mention here of her surviving daughter, my mother, Candice Clark Abbott, her three grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Jeri Truhill was truly a strong and focused woman who knew what she wanted in life and worked hard to achieve it. I saw her and will remember her as a woman whose both strengths and sacrifices helped pave the way for women to have a place in both space and society as a whole.

  4. Dorothy Rice Truly

    I knew nothing of my cousin’s death until today, December 20, 2013. I wish that I had known.
    Jerri was a great lady,friend, and relative. She was definitely an asset to our family. I loved my good hearted cousin!!

    Dorothy Rice Truly

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    I knew nothing of my cousin's death until today, December 20, 2013. I wish that I had known.
    Jerri was a great lady,friend, and relative. She was definitely an asset to our family. I loved my good hearted cousin!!

  5. It was a true privilege to meet Jerri and an extraordinary experience to work with her.

    Making She Should Have Gone To The Moon with Jerri showed me what it means to dream big and not back down.

    Ulrike Kubatta

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    It was a true privilege to meet Jerri and an extraordinary experience to work with her.

    Making She Should Have Gone To The Moon with Jerri showed me what it means to dream big and not back down.

  6. Sherri J. Belmorris

    Although I did not know Jerri, I knew her step daughter Mary Truhill. Mary was such a blessing to her step mom, she loved her with her heart and gave so very much of herself to care for and be there for her to the very end. May God bless each and every family member and now she is forever in Gods hands.

    Sherri J. Belmorris

    Sherri J. Belmorris

    Thursday October 13, 2022

    Although I did not know Jerri, I knew her step daughter Mary Truhill. Mary was such a blessing to her step mom, she loved her with her heart and gave so very much of herself to care for and be there for her to the very end. May God bless each and every family member and now she is forever in Gods hands.

    Sherri J. Belmorris

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share A Message Or Condolence

Add Photo Memories with Truhill,

The maximum upload file size: 100 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here