Thomas Anthony Trotter, 45, of Adna, passed away in his sleep Jan. 25, 2017, due to complications from Huntington's disease (HD), at Bailey-Boushay House, Seattle, Wash.
Tom was born in South Bend, May 10, 1971, to Thomas and Judy (Haines) Trotter. He graduated as valedictorian from Rochester, Wash., in 1989. He was all-state in both basketball and football and won a full scholarship to Centralia College. Tom graduated summa cum laude from Washington State University, as a civil engineer in 1994. He went to work for Stahly Engineering & Associates in Helena, Mont., then obtained his Professional Engineers License, while employed with SCA in Olympia. He was later employed by Parametrix, where he was honored as employee of the year, he worked at Hatton Godat Pantier, Inc., then, finally at Shea Carr Jewell Alliance, as a senior project engineer, when HD prevented him from continuing.
Tom married Dodie (Dorothy) Craig, of Adna, Sept. 8, 1990, and soon started a family, which meant all the world to him. He loved the outdoors and being active. His passions were hunting and fishing, he really liked Montana, but they returned to Adna for their growing gang to be closer to family. You would often find him, still in his dress clothes, out in the driveway shooting hoops with his kids.
He was always up for woodworking or a remodeling chore. Tom built fences, an addition to their house and a well-house for his in-laws. He enjoyed gardening, card and board games, watching his kids play sports and listening to his tunes, while he played video games. He had quite the laugh and a great sense of humor. It was far more fun watching him watch a comedy than it was watching the movie itself. Tom was very smart and always learning, a kind and gentle spoken man. He was quick to help and a Christian. He loved his family and friends and was dearly loved by them in return.
He leaves behind his wife, Dodie; four children, sons, Colten (Courtney) Trotter of Adna, Nate (Brandi) and grandson, Kai Anthony Trotter, 1 month old, of Sweet Home Ore., and Garrett Trotter, who is attending Eastern Washington University in Cheney; and daughter, Morgan Trotter, at the family home in Adna. Tom is also survived by his father, Thomas Trotter Sr. of Centralia; sisters, Debi Sanford of Chehalis, Annette Connery of Centralia and Tonya Mickelson of Galveston, Texas; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Judy Trotter; uncle, Jeff Trotter; cousin, Matthew Trotter; grandmother Hazel Trotter; and nephew, Christopher Sanford.
The family will always be grateful to Stillwaters Colonial Residence in Centralia and to Bailey-Boushay House and their dedicated staff and volunteers for Tom's final compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.baileyboushay.org or The Huntington's Disease Society of America, HDSA.org.
There will be a graveside service at Claquato Cemetery, at 11 a.m., Feb. 3, 2017, with a celebration of life immediately following at the Adna Grange.
