Harry R. Truman

Harry R. Truman
Truman near his lodge in 1980, a few months before his death
Born	Harry R Truman October 1896[a] Ivydale, West Virginia, U.S.
Died	May 18, 1980(1980-05-18) (aged 83) Mount St. Helens, Washington, U.S. 46°15′59.6″N 122°9′33.3″W / 46.266556°N 122.159250°W / 46.266556; -122.159250
Cause of death	Killed by a pyroclastic flow during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
Occupation(s)	Bootlegger, prospector, caretaker of the Mount St. Helens Lodge
Spouse(s)	Helen Irene Hughes (divorced) Marjorie Bennett (divorced) Edna O. Henrickson (deceased)
Children	1
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army Air Service
Years of service	1917–1919
Unit	100th Aero Squadron
Battles/wars	World War I

Harry R. Truman (October 1896 – May 18, 1980)^[a] was an American businessman, bootlegger, and prospector. He lived near Mount St. Helens, an active volcano in the state of Washington, and was the owner and caretaker of Mount St. Helens Lodge at Spirit Lake near the base of the mountain. Truman came to fame as a folk hero in the months leading up to the volcano's 1980 eruption after refusing to leave his home despite evacuation orders. He was killed by a pyroclastic flow that overtook his lodge and buried the site under 150 ft (46 m) of volcanic debris.

After Truman's death, his family and friends reflected on his love for the mountain. In 1981, Art Carney portrayed Truman in the docudrama film St. Helens. He was commemorated in a book by his niece, and also in various pieces of music, including songs by Headgear, Billy Jonas, and Shawn Wright and the Brothers Band.
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