Lee Michael Truitt

It is in deep sorrow that we announce the loss of our beloved Lee Michael Truitt, 45, of Albuquerque. Lee lost his life tragically in the crash of UPS flight 2976 on November 4 in Louisville Kentucky.

Lee was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Lee and Lillian Truitt, maternal grandmother Helen LeKates, father-in-law Theo Yeitrakis, uncles: Lee Truitt, Chris Creviston, aunts: Terry Robinson, Janet Albertson, aunt and uncle Jeanne and Harold Parsons, cousins: Drew Parsons, David Parsons, and Victoria Lea Vannest.

He is survived by his wife Tiffany Truitt, children: Grant Truitt, Grady Truitt, Gibson Truitt, parents John and Holly Truitt, sister Jacquelyn Truitt and husband Logan Rice, mother-in-law Sheri Kraemer, sister-in-law Mitzi Roth, brother-in-law Brad Hudgeons, aunt Georgia Treat and husband Jim, aunt Barbara Creviston, cousins: Jake and Emmy Creviston and children Olive and Lucca, Maggie Creviston, Vince and Melissa Esparza and children Chloe and Keegan, Kristin and Bard Weinstein and son Landon, Anthony and Kori Esparza and son Liam, Don Parsons, Gale West, and Xena Galietti and husband John. Lee leaves behind many friends, acquaintances and colleagues, as well as treasured pets Frida, Finley and Gary.

He was born in Albuquerque on April 21, 1980, to parents John Truitt and Holly Creviston Truitt. Lee attended Bandelier Elementary School, Wilson Middle School, and Highland High School, graduating in 1998. He graduated Magna cum Laude from The University of New Mexico in 2006 with a degree in Spanish and Asian Studies. While working in a bakery Lee met the love of his life, Tiffany Yeitrakis in 2003, and they married in Ireland in 2009. Together they have three children, Grant 14, Grady 9, and Gibson 3.

As a boy, Lee was a loving son and brother to his younger sister Jacquelyn. He could read at age 3, and in school he excelled at mathematics. Outgoing and lively, Lee had many friends from school that he kept throughout his life. At Highland High he was on the swim team, studied Japanese, guitar, and played percussion in the marching band, and guitar in the jazz band. He also studied guitar with Paul Nielsen, Daniel Ward and Dan Dowling. His Japanese classes at Highland were the beginning of his love of Asian languages and culture. He studied Kung Fu at the Chinese Cultural Center, performing often in demonstrations and celebrations there. Lee could speak Mandarin Chinese, and fluent Spanish. Lee was also an eloquent and expressive public speaker. He was often asked to officiate at weddings and memorials, never failing to capture the spirit of the moment with clarity and grace. Lee loved music and music production, and his tastes were very broad and eclectic. He produced a number of segments for the program Freeform on radio station KUNM over the last two years. He loved all styles, especially guitar music, but he was very fond of electronic music, progressive rock, house music and creating and performing as a DJ. Lee loved to cook, his tastes were expansive and worldly, and he introduced his family to many new flavors.

His love of aviation started when he was very young. His favorite thing was to go to Cutter Flying Service to watch airplanes take off and land. By age 5 he could name any aircraft he saw and even identify them by the sound of their engines. He would often tell his father emphatically: “Someday I will take you for a ride in one of those!” He made good on his promise. Lee began his flying lessons at age 17, financing his study entirely by working at Cutter Flying Service as a line service tech. He finished his training at Airline Transport Professional Flight School in Phoenix, Arizona in 2007, obtaining his multi-engine rating, his commercial certificate, and his instructor’s certificate. He returned to Albuquerque and began working for Bode Aviation as chief instructor and charter pilot. He was noted for his skill as a pilot, his calm focused demeanor, his integrity and his care for his colleagues and students. He was the Safety and Education Administrator for the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division in 2010, and he served for a year on the Albuquerque Airport Advisory Board in 2014. He began flying for Sky West Airlines in 2012, flying regional routes, and rose to the rank of Captain. He began his work with UPS in 2021, a job that, though challenging, provided him with the opportunity to fulfill his dream of piloting large aircraft. He was proud of his job there and earned the respect of his fellow pilots and supervisors. He was loved by his colleagues at UPS.

Lee was an amazing father and husband. His job did keep him away for days at a time, but it also gave him stretches of time in which he could lavish his family with the love that he held so deeply for them. He was a father whose love and attention showed in his kids by the deep love they have for their da-da. He lived an example of steadfastness and care that was exemplary. In tune with everything that was happening in his kid’s lives, he kept track of all the things that were going on in school: the athletic events, the concerts, the birthday parties, the holidays, and the many ups and downs of growing up. He deeply loved his wonderful wife, also a busy professional. Their family unit was held together tightly by the bonds of love that both parents poured on the kids and one another. His attention to the wider family also showed his love and devotion. He kept up with parents, sister, cousins, grandparents, in laws, aunts and uncles, often dropping in on them when he flew close to where they were. Lee kept the bonds of family very strong, he was not reluctant to tell us that he loved us, and to show us through the many things he did to enrich our lives.

The family would like to express deepest gratitude to the care teams sent by The Independent Pilot’s Association and UPS to help in this very difficult time. You are a Godsend in our time of grief.

A Celebration of Lee’s life will be held on November 22, 2025, at 10:30 am at at Cutter Flying Service located at 2505 Clark Carr Loop SE, 87106. 

In lieu of gifts, please contribute in Lee’s name to a charity of your choice, but most of all be sure to hold your family and friends close. We are not here forever.