Truett Lee Mortensen was born on May 24, 2010, and he gained his wings on Jan. 3, 2026. To those who knew him, Truett was spontaneous, always smiling, and a bright light in every room. He enjoyed hunting, 

playing baseball, and being with friends and family. 

Sophomore Sterling Garcia, who had been friends with Truett since elementary school, remembers the good times they had, especially hanging out in Dale’s shop.

“One of my favorite memories is when a group of us zip tied him up to a wheelchair in Dale's shop,” Garcia said. “We tried dragging him with the trailer while he was in a wheelchair. Dale was driving. The trailer's hooked onto the back of the truck. He was just hanging on the wheelchair rolling out of the church parking lot,” 

The good times didn’t end there, as Garcia smiled at the memory.

“I should have had someone holding me because I was the one pulling him. But then I started getting pulled off, so I let go of him. He rolled off in the wheelchair,” Garcia said.

Sophomore Wyatt Tunnell, one of Truett's closest friends,  said he was never surprised by Truett's ideas. 

“He would always come up with crazy ideas. He wanted to build a hat company, or take a second generation Dodge, and try to blow it up,” Tunnell said.

Garcia shared what he wishes he could say to Truett now.

“I miss him and wish he was back with us,” Garcia said.

When asked how he hopes Truett will be remembered, Tunnell’s answer reflected both honesty and deep affection.

“I don't want anybody to stop asking me who he was, how he was, or what's my favorite memory that I had with him. I had a lot of them, and I don't want his spirit to die,” Tunnell said. “ I would want people to remember that he was a very helpful soul, but he always had this wild side to him that everybody knew. He wasn't really a saint, but he had a heart of gold, and I hope everybody remembers him for that."