John Bonner

BONNER, Dr. John Trent, M.D.

John Trent Bonner died on January 4, 2025, at his home at Lenbrook in Atlanta. His wife and children were with him.

John was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on January 8, 1938, the son of Oscar Trent Bonner and Ella Hundley Bonner. He grew up in Danville, Virginia, and graduated from George Washington High School. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Richmond and his M.D. degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1963, after which he came to Atlanta to work as a rotating intern at Grady Memorial Hospital.

In January 1965, John became a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He attended Navy Flight School at Pensacola, Florida for six months, graduating from that program as a flight surgeon. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he served two years as a flight surgeon for an F-4 Squadron and had hospital duties.

After his service in the Navy, John returned to Atlanta and began a residency at Emory University in internal medicine for a year, and then completed a residency in anesthesiology. The remainder of his career was spent on the faculty of Emory University Medical School in the Department of Anesthesiology. From 1982-1985 John was Chief of the Anesthesia Service at the VA Medical Center hospital in Decatur, Georgia.

During his career John served on many committees of the American and Georgia Societies of Anesthesiologists, the latter of which he served as president. He also served as president of the Greater Atlanta Society of Anesthesiologists, and he co-wrote a textbook on respiratory intensive care.

John Bonner married Alice Wysor Dorrier on July 11, 1964. Their children are Ellen Bonner Oliver, who is married to Eric Oliver, and Charles Dorrier Bonner, who is married to Penny Cannon. The Bonner grandchildren are Catalina West Oliver and Ruth Cannon Bonner.

Throughout his life, John was known as a kind friend and a loving family man. His many volunteer activities include the medical clinic for the homeless and Meals on Wheels. He trained lifeguards in CPR at the neighborhood pool and was a beloved car pool driver.

John's keen interest in and excellent skill at photography are reflected in the many fine framed photographs in his home and those of his family. John was instrumental in the presentation of the art show at the annual meetings of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Over the years he won first and third prize in color photography.

John was a member of North Decatur Presbyterian Church and served as an elder there. A celebration of his life will be held there February 8, 2025. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to North Decatur Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice. John's family is profoundly grateful to the third-floor staff at Lenbrook for their kind and loving care over the last few years.