Claude Trotter
After graduation from Col-Hi I attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1964. I married my wife, Sally Brown (not from the Peanuts comic strip) and started working with Phillips Petroleum Company. I took time out for an MBA at Michigan. Afterward I joined Sears in Chicago. We have lived in Germany and Mexico while working for Sears. I took a "buy out" from them and did some consulting and started a men's shoe company, Custom Brand Footwear, located in Wisconsin. We have 2 children: Kristen Oakley (44) and Clay (42). They have given us 5 marvelous grandchildren: Josh, Samantha and Megan Oakley as well as Ryan and Mia Trotter.

I had wonderful years at College High through teachers and classmates. I got started on the right foot as a sophomore in Coach Rickett's World History class. It was a tough course for those who wanted to learn but for others he had the "Pullman" section. In football the teammates, games and coaches made high school an experience to remember.
11/20/1941 - 01/11/2019
Claude Houston Trotter Jr., age 77 of Fontana, Wisconsin, passed suddenly on Friday, January 11, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona.

Claude was born on November 20, 1941 in Phillips, Texas, the eldest of three boys. He graduated from the University of Kansas where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. In 1964, after marrying his college sweetheart Sally (Brown) Trotter, Claude earned a master's degree from the University of Michigan. Moving to Chicago, Illinois, he began a successful career with Sears, which took his family to Frankfurt, Germany and Mexico City, Mexico. After leaving the corporate world. Claude utilized his business insights and entrepreneurial spirit starting his own businesses, and never stopped pursuing that passion. Claude and Sally "retired" in Fontana, Wisconsin, where he was often seen running, kayaking, biking or cross-country skiing around Abbey Springs. One of his favorite places to be was the golf course that conveniently backed up to his house. He loved games with his grandchildren (pickleball being a particular favorite). He cherished his family and spending time with them. He will be remembered for his kind nature, contagious smile, and zest for life.

Claude was the beloved husband of Sally; loving father of Kristen (Sean) Oakley and Claude (Julie) Trotter, devoted grandfather of Joshua, Samantha, and Megan Oakley, Ryan and Mia Trotter and dear brother of David (Marcia) Trotter and Don (Vickie) Trotter. He is precede in death by his parents Claude and Ann Trotter.