Alta Trulene Garrison McCauley was born on May 16, 1941 and passed from this life on June 19, 2013. The only child of Truman and Floriene Grimmer near Hardesty, Oklahoma. Truman served in the military and was transferred to Brownsville, TX where Trulene spent her very early years. Because most of her playmates spoke Spanish, she became more conversant in Spanish than English. Because of that reason, her mother sent her home to her grandmothers, Alta Mae Jones in Hardesty so she could be more proficient in English.



During her early years, she learned the value of hard work by helping her grandmother operate a self owned caf.



From the very beginning of her school years in Hardesty, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. That wish and ambition never changed and became a driving force in her life. She began school at Hardesty Schools and finished her elementary education at New Hope School just across the Texas state line at the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company home camp. She graduated from the 8th grade at New Hope school as salutatorian and her best friend, Nedra Kirkland was valedictorian. Trulene attended high school in Spearman, TX where she and Nedra graduated in 1959, again with Trulene as salutatorian and Nedra as valedictorian.



Upon graduation Trulene enrolled at Panhandle A & M College in Goodwell, OK (now Panhandle State University), majoring in Elementary Education. Realizing the necessity not to prolong educational expenses, Trulene attended college year round for three years achieving a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Her desire was to teach 2nd grade but due to the foresight of her college advisor, she was assigned to 1st grade because of Trulenes special skills necessary to train very young children.



In college she joined the Baptist Student Union where made and kept life long friends. During her senior college year in 1962, a bashful young man from Walsh, CO, Thomas McCauley, asked her to the Sweetheart Banquet. She accepted and was named banquet queen. Tom and Trulene began a life long friendship.



After graduation Trulene accepted her first teaching position at Garfield Elementary School in Garden City, Kansas. There she met good friend, Rosa Lee Hendricks and on a whim both applied for teaching positions in Alaska and both were hired. Trulene worked for the Gastineau School system near Juneau. Four years later Tom managed to coax Trulene to move to Burlington, CO and take an opening as first grade teacher. She taught in Burlington from 1969 until her retirement in 2004 wrapping up a 35 year profession. She continued to be associated with the school system as a substitute until December 2012. Trulene completed her Masters of Arts degree from Texas Women' University, Denton, in 1968 specializing in reading. She has won numerous awards and accolades related to her teaching career and have truly touched the lives of thousands of children through her educational endeavors.



Trulene Garrison and Thomas McCauley were married July 8, 1972 at the First Baptist Church, Burlington. They remained married until her death and would have celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary this year.



Their marital union was born two children, Truitt Jon in 1976 and Tryth Amber born in 1978.



Trulene accepted Christ as her savior early in life and never wavered. She became a member of Burlingtons First Baptist Church in the fall of 1969 as did her family. She lived a strong and devout Christian life.



Trulenes hobbys included her love and passion for flower and rose gardening as well has cultivating her vegetable gardens.



She is survived by her husband, Thomas McCauley of Burlington; son, Truitt, and wife, Becky McCauley of Grand Junction, CO and grandson, Corey Wayne McCauley currently serving in the Air Force stationed in England; daughter, Tryth McCauley McCrabb and husband, Jon of Log Lane Village, CO. Other survivors include her sister, Tonia Hogner Weavel of Tahlequah, OK and nieces and nephews, Hannah Hogner, Halee Hogner, Wrigher Weavel and Parker Weavel and a host extended relatives and friends.



She was preceded in death by her mother, Floriene and step father, Jeff Hogner; brother Jeffery Lynn Hogner and grandmother, Alta Mae Jones.


Friends may call at the Brown & Latimer Funeral Home on Thursday June 27, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services are planned for Friday June 28, 2013 at 10 am at the First Baptist Church; 250 Cherry; Burlington CO with burial to follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington.



Donations may be made in Trulene McCauleys name to the following:

First Baptist Church kitchen fund250 Cherry, Burlington, CO 80807 or Gideons International (local camp address : 424 14th St, Burlington, CO) or Rocky Mtn Campus; Golden Gate Seminary , 7393 S. Alton Way; Centennial, CO 80112-2302 or Helping Hands Hospice; 286 16th St.; Burlington, CO 80807

Brown & Latimer Funeral Home has been entrusted with these special services for our Trulene.