George Trulock, founder of Trulock Choke Tubes, passed away on June 13, 2022, at Archbold Medical Hospital in Thomasville, Ga., after losing a battle with pancreatic cancer. Trulock’s journey to becoming one of the foremost producers of shotgun chokes began in 1981, when he created a system to retrofit shotguns to use WinChoke-pattern tubes. It became commercially available the next year, launching a company that has grown from a one-man operation to a staff of 20 with machinery operating 'round the clock, five days a week. Just earlier this month, he announced yet another expansion.
Trulock was born on July 28, 1952, in Cairo, Ga. He married Jane Perkins Trulock in 1970 and signed on with the Cairo, Ga., Police Department two years later. He left as a patrol sergeant in 1982—the year orders for that innovative design poured in. He never abandoned his dedication to serving the public, however. He was serving as mayor of Whigham, Ga., at the time of his death.
Trulock Choke Tubes is a family-owned and -operated business, with Trulock’s sons—Scott and Jerrod—playing a big role at the company. The firm officially announced the death on Wednesday, June 15, stating, “He worked tirelessly for 40 years to grow this company by leaps and bounds. He was a visionary and a creative genius, and the world lost an amazing human being. We look forward to honoring his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much. His spirit will forever be in the foundation of Trulock Chokes.”
Trulock was a familiar face at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, among others, and a friend to hundreds across the industry. The company asks any of those willing to share memories and thoughts to e-mail them to [email protected].
He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, sons Scott Trulock and Jerrod Trulock, sister Patti Faulkner and grandchildren, Rylee Trulock, Rett Groeneveld, Lorelei Trulock and Kayli Trulock. Funeral services took place June 16, 2022, at Trinity Primitive Baptist Church in Whigham, Ga. Interment was at nearby Woodlawn Cemetery.
