Dr. Stephen Thomas True

Stephen Thomas True (Steve), 80, passed away, January 10, 2024, from ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was born March 28, 1943 in Redlands, California, to the late Lester E. True and Mary Marguerite True. He graduated from Coachella Valley High School with honors, the University of Redlands with a degree in Biology, and the University of Southern California School of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Science degree, receiving the Lewis E. Ford Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fixed Prosthodontics. But Steve always considered his greatest achievement to be his ability to play high school sports having been born with a club foot, wearing a cast for 5 years and having major surgeries to correct it. He served his country in the Navy for two years during the Vietnam War on a Marine Corp Supply Base as a dentist. On his departure from active duty he received the Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service. In part it reads, “… During the period of October 1970 to February 1971, he was required to fill the billet of Senior Dental Officer, a position he accepted with great pride and concern,…He maintained the department in a fully operational capacity… Throughout his tour of duty, Lieutenant True has exhibited loyalty, devotion to duty and outstanding leadership which have reflected credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.” E.R. Zumwalt, USN, Chief of Naval Operations. Steve came to know Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was thirty-three years old, and from that time forward he sought to lead his family according to the Bible. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed sports, woodworking, gardening and camping with his wife and children. As a dentist he was gentle, kind and caring. Steve practiced dentistry in California for 30 years before relocating his family to the Greenville/ Spartanburg, South Carolina area on September 11,1998. He opened and operated a dental practice for 18 years in Mauldin, South Carolina, along with his daughter, Heather, as his receptionist, and his son, Eric, as his dental technician for fixed crown and bridge, followed by three years as a digital dental designer for Family Dental Health. He is survived by his wife, Delia, of 53 years, a daughter, Heather True of Reidville, SC; a son, Eric True, a daughter-in-law, Alicia, and three grandchildren, Brandon, Jonathan, and Brianna of Menifee, CA; and a daughter, Emily (True) Doucette and her husband, Robert Doucette of Vernon, France; and one sister, Charlene True of Idyllwild, CA. A Memorial Service will be held at Westgate Baptist Church, 1990 Old Reidville Road, Spartanburg, South Carolina, January 27, 2024 at 11:00 am, conducted by Pastor James Wooten and Eric True. Family visitation will be from 10:15-10:45 before the service. Burial will be held privately at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery, Anderson, SC

Dr. Stephen Thomas True

March 28, 1943 - January 10, 2024