Grant Trueman lived a life filled with passion

POLOKWANE – If you’ve ever seen a man on the sidelines of a sports field, camera in hand, capturing children in their moments of joy, chances are it was Grant Trueman.

Sadly, Grant, a beloved photographer and family man, recently passed away at the age of 52.

In August 2022, Grant was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) after months of unexplained illness.

“He felt unwell for a long time, and when he finally saw the doctor, they ran tests,” his wife Lisa recalled. “The next day, the doctor called and told him to go to Pretoria immediately.”

Grant underwent chemotherapy, enduring several close calls due to infections. By December, he received the hopeful news that he was in remission. But after 14 months, his health took a turn, and he was re-admitted for further treatment.

“Doctors found abnormalities and told us he needed a bone marrow aspiration,” Lisa said.

Grant was hospitalised for three months to prepare for a transplant. A perfect match was found in Poland, and just a month before his 52nd birthday, he underwent the procedure.

While the transplant initially went well, Grant began experiencing severe nosebleeds.

Further tests revealed he had developed thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP), a rare blood disorder. “He also needed dialysis and plasma exchange,” Lisa shared. “But we had to wait six weeks for medical aid approval.”

On September 3, Grant was admitted to the ICU. Despite his wishes to avoid intubation, doctors made the difficult decision to proceed. Sadly, on September 12 at 00:45, Lisa received the call she dreaded – Grant had passed away.

“He was my love at first sight, and we were married for 27 years,” Lisa said. “He was honest, giving, and fiercely protective of our children. He was a true family man.”

Grant’s passion for photography defined much of his life.

Even while in the hospital, he found joy in editing photos and adding motivational quotes. Whether photographing wildlife or children at sports events, Grant would tirelessly work through the night to share his photos as quickly as possible.

“He loved the outdoors and capturing animals in the wild,” Lisa remembered. “At work, he served as managing director at Nashua, maintaining an open-door policy and treating everyone with respect.”

Grant’s memorial service was held on October 4 at Taberna Dei East Campus.

He is survived by his wife Lisa, his two sons, Justyn and Lance, and two dogs he adored.

“We had so many dreams left unfulfilled—sunsets to watch, places to explore,” Lisa said. “But now, Grant is free from pain.”