James A. Trott

James Adam Trott, 91, of Erie, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026 following a brief illness.
James graduated from Academy High School where he met his loving wife, Shirley Ann Woeckener, whom he married in 1953. They were married over 70 years until her death on August 12, 2024. He is now at peace with his beloved.
James served in the US Army, was stationed in France during the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged. He worked a short time at GE Transportation and then at Curtze & Crawford Steel where he met his best friend for life, Robert Bauman, and both families became wonderful friends and enjoyed many memorable moments. Many of our best memories from childhood revolved around our two families camping, boating, water skiing, and hiking through the woods. He was fortunate to have had two wonderful hunting destinations, first, his father in law's camp in Westline and then his own camp in Marshburg where he hunted every season and he and his core group of friends looked forward to deer season, several driving many hours to enjoy this special time. He continued these special trips until his eighties.
He loved boating, water skiing, and fishing and we enjoyed our childhood on the beaches of Presque Isle and on the Kinzua Resorvoir. James was an avid local hockey fan and attended many games from the Erie Lions at the Glenwood Ice Rink, to the Erie Blades/ Golden Blades/ Erie Panthers at the Erie County Field House and continued to the Tullio Arena. He also followed the Buffalo Bills through thick and thin and never wavered in his loyalty.
After the grandchildren began arriving, he began his "taxi" service shuffling his seven grandchildren to and from school and other activities. He and mom never missed anything that their grandchildren, or children for that matter, were involved in. Family vacations were truly for his children. We spent most of them at various amusement parks including Disney World. He and mom enjoyed several special vacations. They went on an Alaskan cruise with friends which meant the world to them and several Caribbean cruises with family that were treasured.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of over 70 years, Shirley Woeckener Trott; his stepfather, Wallace "Red" Stewart; and his sister, Betty Christensen.
Survivors include his six daughters, Linda, Brenda, Diana, Christine, Nancy and Theresa; seven grandchildren, Ashlie, James, Amy, Gabby, Seneca, Zach, and Jamie; one great grandchild, J.J.; his faithful dog, Jenna, who spent many hours riding around with him; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and are invited to services there on Wednesday at 10 a.m. followed by burial in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Anna Shelter, http://www.theannashelter.com or the Barber National Institute, http://www.barberinstitute.org
Please visit http://www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to leave a condolence on James' Tribute Page.