May 15, 2026

Linn County News

Published May 20, 2026

John Thomas (Tommy) Trotter was born Jan. 26, 1945, in Paris, Tenn., to John Houston Trotter and Mary Elexie (Workman) Trotter. He departed this earthly home on Jan. 20, 2026. He lived and worked on his parents’ farm until he proudly joined the Air Force at age 18. He retired from the Air Force but decided to still serve his country in the Kansas Air National Guard 184th Division. Dedicating his life in service to his country was very important to John, and he raised his children with that same dedication to God, Family, and Country.

John earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University.

His favorite activities were hunting, fishing, and driving through the country surveying all that God had created for his eyes to see. He enjoyed woodworking — he built fantastic things through the years — gardening, farming, canning, and cooking. Finally, and most importantly, he loved spending time with his family around the table with the foods he had preserved.

John was a devout Christian and held Bible studies in several different areas in which he lived. He was studying the Hebrew language in hopes of understanding God’s Word even better. When asked what his favorite verse was, he said he didn’t have just one; the entire Bible was his favorite. Ultimately, he decided Romans 10:13 was his favorite because without it, damnation was all that was left. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were all, at one time or another, given lessons on the saving grace that is in Christ Jesus. He would want us to not leave an opportunity open where the saving gospel of Jesus Christ was not given. Romans 10:13: "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Not maybe, not hopefully, but WILL BE saved. It is his children’s greatest hope that anyone here who doesn’t know Jesus fall on their knees, confess with their mouths, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God — that He died on the cross for those sins, covered them with His blood through death, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Confession of that through faith is all that is needed to secure your eternity in heaven with our precious Lord and Savior. That is the legacy John Trotter — Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa — wants to leave this world: Jesus.

John was preceded in death by both of his parents; his brothers Bobby, Joe, and Charles; sister Betty; and son John. Those remaining are sister Catherine Cobb of Nashville and sister-in-law Joyce (Joe) of Paris. His children are Mary (Allen) Andresen of Haven, Kan., James (Marnie) Trotter of Derby, Kan., and Kelli (James) Davis of Rosalia, Kan. He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 22 at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. John will be buried next to his beloved wife, Rita. You are welcome to leave condolences here as well as the VA website at https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/ and search John Trotter.