Don Harry Cleveland Trotter

Don Harry Cleveland “Butch” Trotter, 81, of Fairview, Texas passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, at his home.

Don was born in Burkburnett, Texas to Joe and Mary Trotter on February 17, 1944. He picked cotton with his family before moving to St. Johns, Michigan, where he met his love, Shirley (Hale) Trotter. Don enlisted in the Army in June 1965 as part of the 82nd Airborne Division and was deployed to Vietnam. Don and Shirley married on February 18, 1967, and moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Upon completing his service to his country, Don trained in the HVAC industry and opened the award-winning, Don Trotter Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. in 1970, which he owned and operated in Plano, Texas for 50 years before retiring in 2020.

Don and Shirley’s family includes 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was a pilot, home remodeler, gardener, carpenter, electrician, mechanic – a Jack of all trades! Don kept in touch with his fellow Vietnam Veterans over the years. When not working, Don enjoyed everything to do with the great outdoors: hunting, skydiving, scuba diving, snow skiing, and RV’ing. He was a great cook known for his Thanksgiving dressing and chocolate cream pies. He was well known for his love of fried potatoes, coffee (even in the summer heat), chocolate, and Dr. Pepper! Above all else, Don deeply loved and always provided for his family.

Don is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley Trotter; sons Sean Trotter (Dina) and Michael Trotter (Laura Aguilar); daughter Shannon Jones (Brent); grandchildren Christopher Trotter (Laura), Ashlee Hammontree (Kody), Taylor Nichols (Josh), Jacob Trotter, and Colby Trotter; great-grandchildren Julia, Nash, and Knox; siblings Bill Trotter, Jack Trotter, Fred Trotter, Brenda McQuiston (Mac); siblings-in-law Hazel Crowell, Ardith Weeks, Maxine Matson, Rodney Hale (Bonnie), Bonnie Hale and Barb Hale. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary Trotter, brother Jesse Trotter and sister Mary French.

A memorial service honoring Don will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Allen Family Funeral Options.

Don will be laid to rest at Fitzhugh Cemetery in Lucas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Don’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

The Trotter family wishes to extend their gratitude to Patrice, Monica and Colina from Tender Care: Patrice Total Care and Companion, for providing exceptional round-the-clock care for Don during his in-home hospice.