Loice Avin Trotter
Loice Avin Trotter (L. A.), 99, of Libby passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 with his wife of 70 years by his side.
L. A. was born in Doniphan, Missouri to Jim and Viola Malone Trotter on Aug. 13, 1918. He attended school in Olive, Oklahoma, where during his senior year he also drove the school bus. His family moved to Los Banos, California in 1941. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April 1941 and served with the Headquarters Squadron, 19th Heavy Bombardment Group, in telephone communications. L. A. and his brother, G. W. Trotter, were taken captive by the Japanese in May 1942 at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands. They were held as prisoners of war for 1,212 days until liberated on Aug. 15, 1945. Once back home, he worked for his father as a carpenter then in 1962 started Trotter Brothers Builders with his brother G.W.
L. A. married Frances Helen Jo Barton on Jan. 31, 1948 in Los Banos, California. They moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1964, back to Los Banos in 1976, then to Libby in 2001.
L. A. is preceded in death by daughter Sheila Jo Trotter Jenkins in May of 1972; grandson John Alexander Trotter in August 2001; Viola Malone Trotter in 1978; Jim Trotter in 1982; G. W. Trotter in 1998; and Lee Trotter and Flarence Trotter Odle.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Barton Trotter; children John A. Trotter (Dee), Lois Ann Thatcher (Ron) and Nancy Trotter Higgins (Ron); grandchildren Benjamin Trotter Sutton (Erin), Aaron Ray Sutton (Victoria), Stephanie Anne Shuey, Steven L. Shuey and Katherine E. Trotter; and great-grandchildren Gabriel Trotter Sutton, Stella Helen Sutton and Annissa Hope Sanford.
Private graveside services will be held Monday, June 25, 2018 at Libby Cemetery with John Trotter officiating. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home. Online condolences and memorials may be made to www.schnackenbergfh.com.
Memorials may be given to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1548, 114 W. 2nd Street, Libby, MT 59923, or a charity of donor’s choice. The family of L. A. wishes to extend a sincere thanks to our local Hospice, especially Doug, Andrew, Kristina and Chaplain Michael.