Anthony (Tony) David Trotter was born on December 18, 1962 at Ft. Bliss Army Medical Center to the late Albertena Elizabeth Miller Trotter and Reverend Andrew Lee Trotter, Baptist Minister and Sgt. First Class in the United States Army. On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, Anthony, age 55, experienced the promise of II Corinthians 5:8: “to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord,” after a long battle with kidney disease and other health challenges. Tony passed away at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

As a toddler, Tony lived in Mannheim, Germany with his family while his father was stationed there. He attended Washington Elementary School, Almeda Jr. High School, and graduated from Mayfield High School in Las Cruces in 1981. Tony was baptized at Bethel Second Baptist Church, in Las Cruces, at a young age and he remained a member until the time of his passing. He was an integral part of the Trojans football team at Mayfield High School as an All-District Cornerback, however, he suffered a career-ending injury his Sophomore year, but he overcame this setback and started Varsity Basketball in his Junior and Senior school years. Tony was a local basketball legend in Las Cruces and throughout New Mexico and received numerous awards. After High School graduation, Tony attended New Mexico State University. He decided to try out for the Aggies basketball team, as a walk-on, and made the team his freshman year. Tony, had an outgoing personality, a beautiful spirit, and a warm smile. He loved his family, working with children and senior citizens, and was a major sports fan. His favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys, so much so, that he named his first son, Dallas. Tony was employed by the City of Las Cruces Recreation Department for 24 years before retiring in 2013. Tony was a friend and mentor to the youth of Las Cruces while working in the Parks and Recreation Department. He also loved overseeing activities for senior citizens and working at the Aquatic Center. Nights and weekends, you could find Tony refereeing games as a part of the City of Las Cruces Referee Association. After retirement from the City of Las Cruces, Tony decided to take a leap of faith, and he pursued his life-long dream of being an entreprenuer as the owner of Anthony’s Apparel store, selling athletic wear, and women’s and men’s clothing and shoes. After his store closed, Tony began a less-strenuous job and became an airport shuttle driver for the Las Cruces Shuttle company, however, his health began to decline shortly after starting this job and he left the company.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Andrew Trotter, mother, Albertena Trotter, and brother Andrew Leon Trotter. Left to cherish and celebrate his life are his children, Tonisha Valverde Trotter, Dallas Medley Trotter, and Darren Valverde Trotter. His brothers and sisters will miss him dearly and they are Albert (Jimmy) Bratcher, George Trotter (Mary), Alan (Timmy) Trotter, Patrick Trotter (Yolanda), Marcus Trotter (Charmain), Joseph Trotter, Irene Trotter Allen (Mitch), Catherine Trotter Raynor (Heurity) and lastly, his beloved Bethel Second Baptist Church family and Pastor Harvey.

Tony will be sorely missed by his many friends and family and may he rest in peace until we meet again. A Wake service will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Getz Funeral Home Chapel in Las Cruces, NM, 1410 E. Bowman St. from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, March 2, 2018 at Bethel Second Baptist Church, 405 E. Hadley Street, Las Cruces, NM at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Brian Harvey officiating. Tony will be interred at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery, 5140 W. Picacho Avenue in Las Cruces. In lieu of customary remembrances, you may direct condolences to Bethel Second Baptist Church in Tony’s name.

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