John "Bubba" Trotman

1927 - 2018

John "Bubba" Trotman

Montgomery - TROTMAN, John McNeill, "Bubba", 90, a longtime resident of Montgomery, Alabama, died peacefully at home Saturday, February 3, 2018, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Montgomery on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. with Chuck Ashley and the Reverend Robert Wisnewski, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Rogers Trotman, two sons, Frank Randolph Trotman (Lorrie) and John McNeill Trotman, Jr. (Teri) and his grandson, John McNeill Trotman III. Survivors include his sons, Charles Rogers Trotman (Whitney) and Robert Tyler "Woody" Trotman. He is also survived by his nephews, John Trotman Carroll and Sam Jones Carroll III, and his niece, Lottie Carroll Brauer. Also surviving him are his grandsons, Charles Hibbett Trotman, William Rogers Trotman (Jessica), Andrew Gunter Trotman (Laura); his granddaughters, Ellen Rogers Trotman and Barbara Ann Trotman, Ellen Trotman Ashmore (Ramsey), Tyler McNeill Trotman, and Margo Evan Trotman. Surviving him also are his great-grandchildren, Mary Handley, William Tyson, and Lacey Cathryn Trotman, Vivian Louise and Lydia Suzanne Trotman, Trotman Dean Ashmore, John McNeill Trotman IV, and Gracie Ann Ashmore Trotman.

Trotman had a deep affection for agriculture which began when he was a child growing up in Troy, Alabama. He studied agriculture at Auburn University where he played football and was the Vice President of the Auburn A-Club. He served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army before beginning Trotman Cattle Company in Montgomery in 1954.

Trotman achieved a great deal during his lifetime. Some of his accomplishments include being elected as the Chairman of the Board of the Montgomery Production Credit Association in 1966. He was the President of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association in 1966 as well and became nationally known as the President of the National Cattlemen's Association in 1972. In 1981 he was inducted into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and was elected President of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition in 1983.

President Ronald Reagan appointed Trotman to head the Alabama Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) in 1985. For 25 years he enjoyed hosting the annual Kentucky Derby party for his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He served as the President of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce as well as the Montgomery Rotary Club and was on the Board of Advisors of the University of Alabama Law Center. A past member of the vestry at St. John's Episcopal Church, he was a member of the Poundstone Sunday School class at First Baptist Church.

Trotman was very involved in a myriad of community and charity organizations focusing on everything from the arts to cancer prevention for which he received innumerable awards and honors. He was well known for his energy, charm, diplomacy and love of people. His passion was his family, friends and acquaintances. His "southern gentleman" style made people feel welcome and at home. He had a keen interest in everyone he met and never met a stranger.

Pall bearers will be Sam Carroll, Trot Carroll, Will Gunter, Bruce Downey, Tommy Lawson, Dr. Bob Haas and William Haynes.

Honorary Pall bearers will be Dr. Jay Lee Alley, Harold Barber, Dr. H.B. "Woody" Bartlett, Dudley Griffin, Freddie Henderson, Dick Hodges, Nall Hollis, Horace Horn, Sam Johnson, George Jordan, Dean Parkman, Waylon Price, Spears Rhodes, Ed Woodson, The Past Presidents of the Alabama and National Cattlemen's Association, The Half Snapper Club, The Leon Loard Lunch Bunch and The Merle's Round Table. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the First. Baptist Church, 305 South Perry Street, 36104; St. John's Episcopal Church Building Fund, 113 Madison Avenue, 36104; or the charity of your choice.