Gil Truitt was born and raised in Sitka. Orphaned at the age of 13, he raised himself to adulthood. He was a teacher, basketball coach, and administrator at Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka from 1956 till 1990. He earned a BA from Harding University, 1956, an MA in Education Administration from Arizona State University, 1971, and an honorary Dr. of Law from the University of Alaska Anchorage. A street in Sitka is named in his honor and the auditorium at Mt Edgecumbe High School is named “Gil Truitt Activity Center.” He was named “Mr. Edgecumbe” by the students and alumni of the school.

Mr. Truitt lived in Sitka all of his life except for the periods when he was in college and military service. He worked as a commercial fisherman. His wife is Shirley Guilford, retired Home Economics teacher. The couple has three grown children, all of whom are college graduates.

Gil Truitt passed away July 10, 2020 at Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center. He was 93.