Henry Ford Trotter, Jr.

Henry Ford Trotter Jr., 78, passed away on April 25th, 2016 at St. Vincent's Infirmary in Little Rock, Ark. Henry was born on March 6, 1938 in Pine Bluff, Ark. to Henry and Lucille Simmons Trotter. He graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1956, graduating from Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. in 1960. After service in the Air Force Reserves, he joined his father in the family business, Trotter Ford, in Pine Bluff where he worked until his death. In 1961, he married Elizabeth Sue Russell, also of Pine Bluff, and they enjoyed 55 years of loving marriage. Henry believed that you did not just take your living from a community, but that you must give back to the community. In that regard, he was involved in a multitude of community service activities and organizations. Henry's service to United Way of Southeast Arkansas, Jefferson County Industrial Foundation, the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce, and 50 for the Future are just a few examples of his commitment to the community. Henry served for many years as a member of the Simmons Bank company and corporate board of directors. He was also a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Pine Bluff where he served many roles including storyteller for the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class. Professionally, he served as the Arkansas director for the National Automobile Dealers Association, as well as the chairman of the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association, and was a long time director of the Memphis Region Ford Dealer Advertising Fund. Henry was happiest giving suggestions to the many associates that work at the family's three automobile dealerships. A couple of Henry's favorite activities were fishing and duck hunting. He was a founding member of the Cypress Lake Farm Hunting Club, fondly known as "The Ditch". Henry also loved boating and all things water-related. A time well spent for family and friends was a sunset cruise with "Captain Trotter" at the helm. Henry is survived by his wife, Sue; one daughter, Lynne Trotter Patterson (Rob) of Macon, Grk; one son, Henry Ford Trotter III (Cindy) of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren; two sisters, Lucille Trotter Cook from Texarkana, TexasX and Ann Trotter King of Helena, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Emma Louise McCain; and brother, John "Jack" Franklin Trotter. Visitation is Thursday, 4/28/2016 from 5-7 p.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son. Services are Friday, 4/29/2016, 11 a.m., First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff with a reception following in the FUMC Fellowship Hall. Committal services are private. Memorials requested to First United Methodist Church, Box 8003, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71611; or Nursing Scholarships in Memory of Henry Ford Trotter, Jr., CHI St. Vincent Foundation, 2 St. Vincent Circle, Little Rock, Ark. 72205, (501) 552-2380 or www.chistvincent.com/donate. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.