J. RAY TROTTER

The Rev. J. Ray Trotter of Cape Girardeau, a retired United Methodist minister, died Friday, Aug. 16, 1996, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was 75.

He was born Sept. 11, 1920, in Unionville, Mo., to the Rev. Thomas Homer and Lena Jackson Trotter. He was married June 30, 1943, to the former Dorothy Hill Bryson in Tampa, Fla. She survives.

Trotter was a graduate of Northeast High School in Kansas City, attended Park College in Parkville, Mo., and Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La. He completed his undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and received a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Mo., and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo.

A fourth generation father-to-son Missouri Methodist minister, Trotter served as pastor of Broadway Methodist Church in Fornfelt, now Scott City, while completing his degree at Southeast. He also served as pastor at Salem Methodist Church in Ballwin; Bowman Methodist Church in St. Louis; First United Methodist Church in Webster Groves; and Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. He served as senior pastor at Centenary for 23 years, retiring Sept. 30, 1985.

Trotter was a veteran of World War II, serving four years in the Army. He was a member of the American Legion.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Sharon Bailey of Columbia and Sandra Keeney of Osage Beach; a son, William Ray Trotter of Cabool; a sister, Cedora Goodyear of Heavener, Okla.; and eight grandchildren.

A sister and brother preceded him in death.

Private family service of entombment will be held at Memorial Park Mausoleum, followed by a memorial service at Centenary United Methodist Church at 1:30 p.m. Monday, with the Rev. Dr. Neil Stein officiating. Family members will be in the Family Life Center lobby to greet friends after the service.

Arrangements are being handled by Ford and Sons Funeral Home.