Gary Joseph True, 69

Gary Joseph True passed away March 5, 2023. He was 69 years old.

Gary was born in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 16, 1954, to Warren and Irene True. Growing up in Southern California, Gary enjoyed the sun and the surf. He was most at home on the sand. Gary graduated from Inglewood High in 1972 and it was there he met friends that he would keep throughout his life.

Gary (“JoJo” — as he was often called) loved the outdoors. He spent many a day hiking the mountains around southern California. In the mid-1970s, Gary moved upstate and landed in Placerville. He loved the California foothills, and the Crystal Range in Desolation Wilderness was his favorite place to backpack and hike. During his time in Placerville, he owned and ran a successful painting company, “True Painting," which he was very proud of.

In the early 2000s, Gary’s love of the outdoors brought him further north and he found himself in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he remained until his death. Semi-retired, Gary gave back to Cd'A by delivering meals to the elderly through Meals on Wheels. He also worked at Ambitions as a staff member in Residential Habilitation. He was very suited for this demanding job with his calm, easy, and quiet manner.

Gary loved living in Idaho but didn’t like being so far from the beach. He always made an extra effort to get back to the sand as often as he could. In recent years he would go to Mexico and stay a month or two. He said it felt like being back at the beaches of his childhood.

Gary is survived by his son, Harrison True, brother Dennis True and nephew Grey True.