Douglas W. True

Douglas W. True, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, surrounded by his family.  He was 86 years old.

Douglas was born on July 25, 1939, in Mason City, Iowa, to Jesse J. and Wava M. (Lewis) True. He grew up in Austin, Minnesota. He married Renée Mae Robertson on December 17, 1960. 

Doug graduated from Winona State College in 1961 with a bachelors degree and a multiple subjects teaching credential; during his college years he was on the wrestling team.

His first teaching assignment took him and his young family to Garden Grove, California in 1961, where he taught 6th grade.  It was there that he continued his education receiving his Masters in Administration from Long Beach State.

In 1972 he moved his family to Hanford to become Superintendent/Principal of Kings River-Hardwick School District. Later, Doug worked for the Kings County Office of Education as a Project Director and finished his career as an administrator at Neutra Elementary, NAS Lemoore.

A dedicated community member, Doug belonged to the First United Methodist Church of Hanford, Rotary, and Habitat for Humanity. He also spent many years cheering on his daughter, son and grandchildren at their sporting events. Doug had many interests including driving and competing with miniature horses.

Doug is survived by his wife of 65 years, Renée; two children, Craig True and Cindy True-LaMar; four cherished grandchildren, Tanner Kress, Stormie Blevins, Kian Jefferies and Preston Durbin; and two great-grandchildren, Austin Blevins and Evie Garcia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Wava True, brother Greg True, sisters Marlene Sterling and Joyce Finholdt.

A visitation for Doug will take place on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 3:00-6:00pm at Whitehurst McNamara Funeral Home, 100 W. Bush St. Hanford, CA.  The funeral service will be on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10am at the First United Methodist Church, 505 N. Redington St., Hanford, CA.  Burial will follow at Kings River Cemetery, 10499 Dover Ave, Hanford, CA.

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