Troy Sterling Tuggle Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Troy Sterling Tuggle went home to be with the Lord on May 2, 2022. Troy was the oldest child of Enid May (Arbogast) and William A. "Al" Tuggle. He is survived by the love of his life: Frances Loretta (Miller) Tuggle, from Tulare, California, daughter Jaimie Swofford, and grandchildren Lucas and Logan of Visalia, California. Sons, Jason and Stephanie Swofford and grandchildren Tyler and Summer Kate Swofford of Chino Hills, California. Jared and Anna Swofford and grandchildren Madilyn Grace and Mason James Swofford of Visalia, California. Nephew, Darin Wilkinson of Pacific Beach, California. Niece, Lee Anne Wilkinson and great Nephew, Adrien Wilkinson of Sacramento, California. Nephews William Bret and Sharon Tuggle, David Bruce and Roberta Tuggle of Southern California, along with Niece & Nephew Lem and Lisa Meismer of Washington state. Troy was born June 6, 1932 at home, 633 Mariposa Street in Tulare, built by his father. A story handed down by the family, was that Troy was delivered by the famed late Dr Elmo Zumwalt Sr., father of the future Chief of Naval Operations. In those depression times, to repay the doctor for his services, his father, then a carpenter, built stairs and a bunk-bed for the future Admiral. Troy attended Wilson and Roosevelt Elementary Schools in Tulare, Cherry Avenue Middle School, and was a 1950 graduate of Tulare Union High School. He attended College of Sequoias (1950-1951) and Fresno State College (fall 1951-1954). In 1954 he requested induction into the Army, Basic Training at Fort Ord, then Camp Gordon, Georgia. He served a 16 month tour of duty in the Signal Corps (AFEE 8th Army) stationed at Busan and Seoul, Korea. Afterward Troy worked for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank and at several other summer part time jobs. Although he received $110.00 a month with the GI Bill, he worked other jobs paying his way through college. A formative experience was working and living with his aunt and uncle on their farm in Paso Robles. He lived with the family of ten girls and one boy! On a farm of Alfalfa hay and Angus cows, his uncle taught him to work from "see" to "can't see". Which Means Sunlight to Dusk. In retrospect those were productive times of learning and growing up. Returning to college, which he had been away for too long, Troy attended UCLA and Santa Monica City College to regain his study skills. Returning then to Fresno State, he graduated with a B.A. and teaching credential in 1962. His teaching positions were Madera Union High School (1962-1964), Roosevelt Junior High School (1964-1966), and Tranquility Union High School (1966-1969). The following year he worked as a long-term substitute at Nelson School in the Clovis Unified School District. For the next 22 years he taught 5th and 6th grades at San Lorenzo Middle School and Del Rey Elementary School in King City, California. His interests were diverse, and inclined towards the scholarly, historical and a great love of books. From the late 1960's he was involved with the Jedediah Smith Society and attended many of their rendezvous, served on the Board of Directors and wrote several articles dealing with Jedediah Strong Smith for the PACIFIC HISTORIAN. The University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Two of his articles were about a missing Jed Smith pistol and Julian Smith Bacon, Jr., Jed Smith's great, grand nephew, descendant of Jed's brother Peter Smith. He became great friends with "Smitty" Bacon, whom he enjoyed his friendship until his death. In later years, he continued heatedly and especially after his marriage to the Love of his life, Loretta, he studied the Good Book, as he called it "The Bible". He Loved the Gospels. Encouraged by Terry Omen, Troy wrote an article called "Memories of Tuggleville" for the December 2001 issue of Los Tulare's, he loved to write about the old Town. Troy worked on writing a book for long period of time regarding Amie Simple McPherson. He loved to get newspapers and research her kidnapping of the 1920's. He believed the work that he did on the research of her life brought him closer to God. Troy loved to walk and always read any book he could get his hands on. He also loved getting together with his buddies at the local McD's to solve the Worlds Problems. Funeral services will be held 9:00 AM Friday, May 27th, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Graveside services will be held 12:00 PM Friday, May 27th, 2022 at Tulare Cemetery, 900 E. Kern Ave., Tulare.. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Troy Sterling Tuggle

June 6, 1932 - May 2, 2022