Bertram Eugene True

Bertram Eugene ("Gene") True entered into rest on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. He was 94 years old. He was born on September 11, 1929 to Roy A. True and Bethel (Owensby) True in Buffalo, Missouri. Bertram graduated from Tunas High School in 1947. He then attended Southwest Missouri State Teachers College (now Missouri State University) and obtained a bachelor’s degree in education. He taught History and Psychology in the Pattonville School District in St. Louis County. After completing his Masters in Education at the University of Missouri, he became a guidance counselor and ran the Pattonville High School placement office. He helped students find jobs that fit their passions. He loved helping the students. Bertram taught school for 29 years before retiring in 1985. After he retired from teaching, he continued to raise cattle on his farm. He was 89 when gave up raising cattle and retired a second time. His final job was telling stories. He never met a stranger. Bertram was in the US Army and the Navy Reserve. He was stationed in Washington, DC. He loved exploring the capital on his time off. He visited the places he had learned about in his history classes. On May 29, 1959, Bertram was united in marriage to Thelma Berniece (Clarkston) True in Bakersfield, Missouri. They met while both were watching a square dance in Springfield. They danced with various square dance clubs across southwest Missouri meeting new people and bringing club flags back to their club. They were married for 47 years. They had two children, a daughter Jeanine and a son Roy True. Bertram was a 50+ year member of the Masonic Lodge. Bertram was also a member of the Tunas Christian Church. Bertram was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Bethel, wife Berniece, siblings Roy Wayne True, Chrystal (True) Melton, Avaline (True) Harris, Daryl O. True, brothers-in-law William Melton, James Harris, Lloyd Clarkston, and Buford Roy Clarkston, sisters-in-law Sylvia (Nunn) True, Helen (Guthrie) True, Marcella "Macy" (Breithaupt) True, nephew Marcus Harris and niece Thresa (Melton) Reed. Bertram is survived by his children Jeanine and Roy (Maki) True and his three grandchildren Alexander True, Eric True, and Nicholas True. Bertram is survived by sisters-in-law Anita (Carter) Clarkston and Wanda (Woodall) Clarkston. Bertram is also survived by his dear friend Karmeline Brown, nieces Lyddia Kelm, Sarah Mulligan, Danika Byrd, Dawna McCulloch, Amy Barnes, and Renee Clarkston, and nephews Larry True, Ryan True, John Melton, Steve Melton, Wendell Clarkston and Kendell Clarkston. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Visitation is at 1:00 p.m. and the funeral service is at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Cantlon Otterness Viets Funeral Home in Buffalo, Missouri. Bertram will be laid to rest in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Springfield on Monday, December 11, 2023.

Bertram Eugene True

September 11, 1929 - December 6, 2023