JOHN TILLMAN "JACK" TROTTER

JOHN TILLMAN "JACK" TROTTER, having been born on the 6th of September 1926, died at home on Thurday, the 26th of November 2009, after several years of declining health. Jack Trotter was a successful investor and served on numerous boards of directors. He was both a lawyer and a certified public accountant and at one time held licenses in both professions. However he never really practiced either. He was a problem solver and his imaginative mind led him to be in demand for his counsel and advice. Because he cared about our city, state and nation, Jack Trotter quietly contributed, and influenced others to contribute, to many of Houston's most visible and not so visible charitable institutions. His business acumen and legendary arm-twisting were significant factors in the development and growth of several nonprofit institutions that today are leaders in their fields. Jack Trotter demonstrated over and over that he cared about Houston. Through unselfish action and leadership he opened doors and influenced the wealthy and well connected of our city to do their part to make Houston a better place for all. The institutions he assisted in many different ways include those whose names are well known like the Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, St. Luke's and Methodist Hospitals, Episcopal High School, The Brookwood Community and the YMCA of Greater Houston. But he also supported and encouraged countless lesser known institutions like the Rise School of Houston, Pan American Cultural Exchange and the Rutherford B. Yates museum in Freedman's town (fourth ward). It was his fertile mind that over thirty years ago conceived of the growing movement to replace the income tax with a consumption tax that is gaining traction nationally and that today is know as the "Fair Tax".Mr. Trotter is survived by his daughters, Paige Trotter Holloway and husband Don R. Holloway of Franklin, TN., and Barbara Trotter Collins and husband William Nelms Collins, Jr. of Kerrville, TX; granddaughter Barbara Holloway Nowotny and husband Craig Thomas Nowotny; of Franklin, TN; grandson Tillman Rhodes Holloway and wife Megan Williams Holloway of Franklin, TN.; grandson William Matthew Holloway and wife Cara Carter Holloway of Atlanta, GA.; granddaughter Sarah Holloway Ross and husband Steven Russell Ross, Jr. of Franklin, TN.; granddaughter Rachel Elizabeth Holloway of Franklin, TN.; granddaughter Paige Collins Ellis and husband Lt. Kyle V. Ellis of Pensacola, FL.; granddaughters Hattie Collins, Chandler Collins, Adelaide Collins, Rebekah Collins, and Sydney Collins of Kerrville, TX.; great grandchildren Ruth Ann Nowotny, Samuel Craig Nowotny, Sarah Elizabeth Nowotny, Mary Layne Holloway, Doss Rhoads Holloway, Elizabeth Marsha Holloway, and Steven Russell Ross III; and nephews Richard A. Burger, David L. Burger and Robert A. Gray.Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 1st of December, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.Kindly note that the graveside service is now open for public attendance. Friends may join the family for the interment to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 2nd of December, at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Interstate 10 West in Houston.The memorial service will be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon, also on Wednesday, the 2nd of December, at the Church of St. John The Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Laurens A. Hall, Rector, is to officiate.Honored to serve as pallbearers during the services are Don R. Holloway, William N. Collins, Jr., Tillman Rhoads Holloway, William Matthew Holloway, Craig Thomas Nowotny, Steven Russell Ross, Jr. and Lt. Kyle V. Ellis.In lieu of usual remembrances, the family suggests contributions to the Rise School of Houston, 8080 N. Stadium Dr., Ste 100, Houston, TX, 77054; Technology For All, 2220 Broadway, Houston, TX, 77012; to the Tax Leadership Council, 3900 Essex Ln., Ste 1200, Houston, TX, 77027; or to the Brookwood Community, 1751 FM 1489, Brookshire, TX, 77423. -->