Mr. Regianld Dudley Trotman

Reginald Dudley Trotman, was born on July 1, 1921 in Colon, Panama. He ~as the eldest son of Reginald Trotman and Rosetta Hall-Trotman He accepted Christ at a very young age and attended St. John Catholic Church in Panama. In the early 1950's, Reginald moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He later joined Oak Creek Assembly of God, Oak Creek, Wisconsin. In 1958, Reginald met and married the love of his life, Cherrye Ballard. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Enid and Eunice. Their lives were further blessed by the addition of their devoted niece, Edwina Beanum whom they raised as if she was their own. Reginald received his formal education in the Panama Public Schools System. Education was extremely important to Reginald. He graduated from Junior College in Montego Bay, Jamaica majoring in auto mechanics, was accepted to the Milwaukee School of Engineering, attended the General Motors School of Automotive Transmission and received a degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MATC). Reginald leveraged his education with his entrepreneurial spirit which he discovered in Jamaica, but cultivated it in Panama where he opened his first business, a transportation company that was very successful. His entrepreneurial spirit defined and followed him to Milwaukee when in 1958 he opened two Phillips 66 gasoline stations on 1st and North Avenue and 16th and McKinley Boulevard. He later ,became a home fuel oil distributor and owned the Gold Coast Tap on 28th and North Avenue for many years. Reginald had an infectious smile that could melt your heart and he was loved by many. He loved to sing hymns. His favorite was "How Great thou Art." His hymns provided great comfort to Reginald and all that visited him , during his final months. When able, he would sing "I trust in God," and was joined by his caregivers. Reginald was preceded in death by his father, Reginald Trotman; mother, Rosetta Hall-Trotman, brothers, Jasper Trotman, Gleaster Trotman and his sister, Marjorie Trotman. He leaves to mourn his loss and celebrate his life his loving wife of 54 years, Cherrye Janet Trotman; daughters, Enid (Lewis) Trotman-Anyanwu of Mequon, WI, Eunice (Wayne) Francis of Black Jack, MO, Griselda Ammons of Atlanta, GA, Myrna Trotman of Barstow, CA and Maricela Trotman of Panama City, Panama; special niece, Edwina Beanum of Milwaukee, WI; brothers, Hugh Trotman of Brooklyn, NY, Paul Trotman-Hall of Oakland, CA; sisters, Cynthia Leffall of Fresno, CA and Anita (Cyril) Gilmore of Miami, FL; grandchildren, Simone Cherise Francis, Lura Janet Anyanwu, Leah Justina Anyanwu, Jenelle Marie Francis, Aaron Wayne Francis, Melissa Yissel Ammons and Enrique Trotman; special great-nephew, Eric (Kristen) Jefferson of Washington, DC; godson, Lt. Col. Mario Beckles of Montclair, Virginia; goddaughter, Jennifer Banty Sams of Montgomery, , AL; and a host of extended family members and dear friends.

Mr. Regianld Dudley Trotman

July 1, 1921 - February 22, 2012