James Elbert Aldridge, III

James Elbert Aldridge III (affectionately known as Trey) was born on March 2, 1988, in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of James Elbert Aldridge, Jr. and Shirley Lorraine Huddleston Aldridge. Trey is predeceased by his son,  Jameson Ellis Aldridge; grandparents, James P. and Erma L. Huddleston, James E. Aldridge, Sr. and Sarah Hill Updyke; aunts, Diane E. Aldridge, Gale D. Carr, and uncle, Dorrance A. Aldridge.

Trey gave his life to Christ at an early age at Second Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. David  O. Shipley. There he sang in the Chapelle Choir, was member of Boy Scout Troop 6, and played on the Second Baptist Church’s baseball team.

Trey was educated  in the Kansas City School District until his family moved to Lee’s Summit, MO. There he attended middle school in the Blue Springs School District. Trey and his mom truly enjoyed and cherished their Mother/Son experience the 6 years they were active in the prestigious “Jack and Jill of America, Inc.” organization which is dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership and character-building skills and activities. Trey graduated from Blue Springs South High School in 2006 and then enrolled at the University of Missouri at Columbia to pursue a degree in Business Marketing. This career choice was a result of seeing his father start and run several successful businesses, which his father hoped Trey would one day take over.

Trey’s entrepreneurial spirit led him into Car Detailing. His chosen field was not surprising, especially as at a very young age Trey would always insist on helping his father detail the family cars and various recreational vehicles. His dad would patiently instruct Trey even though it would take additional time to complete the work. Later, after Trey acquired his own vehicle, he truly caught the detailing bug himself. After leaving college he honed his skills by working at carwashes, and detail and tint shops. He was very meticulous and proud about his work and would come up with his own concoctions to remove the worst stains, rust, and the like.  Trey soon developed a following and began making plans to start his own business—Trident Auto Services.  He spent months designing just the right logo, and picked a color scheme of blue and green. He also dreamed Trident would eventually expand into a chain of high-end, multi service detailing shops with customer services such as a laundromat, children’s play area, and snack bar with video games and pool table.

Trey was always an energetic child, full of fun and laughter with an infectious smile. He funneled his energy into all kinds of sports, beginning with T-ball and soccer at age 4. He tried basketball and excelled at track, but found his true calling was playing football as an offensive running back and a defensive corner back. Due to Trey’s compact and muscular frame, his quick speed and agility enabled him to break tackles as a running back and tackle much larger players than his own stature. In high school, he played on the varsity team from his sophomore year on; Trey was instrumental in Blue Springs South winning the City-wide Division 6 Title his senior year. Trey went on to be a walk-on on MU’s football team his freshman year as a defensive conner back. Like many young men, Trey remained an enthusiastic video-gamer.  He also enjoyed barbecuing, traveling, swimming, and other aquatic sports.  Generally, Trey enjoyed being silly and just having fun. But, also as a serious young man when approaching life’s challenges, Trey’s mantra was one simple phrase… “Figure it Out.”

Family was important to Trey. He loved family gatherings, celebrations, and  the holidays, especially Christmas. His mother would refer to the three of them as the “Three Musketeers” as they were always doing activities together. He was taught to always be a gentleman around his mother and that she should “never touch a door handle”. Trey had told both his parents that they had raised him right and should have no regrets. Trey always wanted a family of his own. Sadly, his first son, Jameson Ellis Aldridge was still born. Trey’s second son, James Elbert Aldridge IV, arrived on July 2, 2019.  Madison, the child’s mother, affectionately nicknamed him, Dru, short for “Quadruple” (James the 4th).

Trey’s ultimate joy in life was his son; you could see it in his eyes and the warm genuine grin on his face while he held or interacted with Dru. Trey was a dedicated father; gladly caring for Dru, willingly changing diapers, bathing, and feeding him. He was already grooming him for sports with a T-Ball set, and an array footballs, basket and soccer balls, and was ardent about holding Dru while watching football games. Trey would often chant “three-four” to Dru, verbalizing their special bond of being the 3rd and 4th generation of their namesake. Or they would fist bump with chants of “three-four” and then “four-three”. Trey proudly shared photos and videos of Dru following in his Dad’s footsteps insisting on helping in the back yard detailing the family car, and of course, causing it to take more time to finish.

Trey knew how to balance his loving care and playtime with discipline when necessary.  Lovingly, but firmly, he would sit Dru in the corner, and later would patiently explain why, his expectations, and future consequences if the behavior was repeated. Then he’d tell Dru he loved him, and send him on his way with a “three-four” chant.

Trey departed this life on May 4, 2022, at his home in Kansas City, MO. Trey leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life: his son, James Elbert (Dru) Aldridge IV, Madison Putnam (Dru’s mother); his parents: James Elbert Aldridge, Jr., and Shirley Lorraine Huddleston; his uncles: Gary A. Huddleston and Dennis J. Huddleston; his aunts: Melba V. McFadden, Jamesetta (James) Haynes, April D. Oglesby, and Teal Y. Hicks.  He also leaves behind three generations of cousins, other family members and a host of friends.

Services for Mr. Aldridge were held Thursday, May 12, 2022, at E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel. Private Disposition.

Thoughtful care and services handled by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.