Donald Leon Trentham

October 1, 2024

DATELINE:  HUGOTON, KS
 

Donald Leon Trentham, 86 years old, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK.

Don was born to Leon and Freda (Ehrhart) Trentham on August 27, 1938, in Hobart, Oklahoma.

Don married Lanora June Williams on August 25, 1963, in Geary, OK.  They celebrated 61 years of marriage and had two children:  Lora Kay and Mark Ryan.

Don grew up in Hobart, OK where he worked with his dad at Hobart Machine shop learning to repair cars and farm equipment becoming an expert welder.  Following graduation from Hobart High School in 1956, Don traveled the country working as a journeyman welder before enrolling in Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration degree while being a journeyman welder and serving in the Oklahoma National Guard.  Don was also instrumental in creating the local chapter of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity.  After graduation Don went to work for Shamrock Construction, a pipeline business in Dodge City, KS and worked there until 1972 relocating to Hugoton, KS to purchase Big Bee Motors. As the owner of Don Trentham Ford, Don won many awards with Ford and served as Director of the Kansas Automotive Dealer Association.  Don was proud and felt privileged to serve the community of Hugoton and surrounding area from 1972 to 2007.  

Throughout his professional career, Don served the Hugoton community in many ways.  In 1973 Don joined the Hugoton Rotary club and served as their President during their 75th anniversary, Assistant Governor for District 5690 for 6-years and was a Paul Harris Fellow.  Don and his wife, June enjoyed traveling to Rotary conventions across the US and Canada.  Don was a member of the Hugoton Chamber of Commerce serving as director and served as chairman of the Hugoton golf course for many years.  Don could often be found at Forewinds Golf Course in Hugoton playing a round and maintaining the course including overseeing installation of the watering system and supervising the construction of the new clubhouse.  In addition, Don was a baseball coach dedicating countless hours to coaching Little League and Babe Ruth shaping young athletes teaching teamwork, perseverance and having fun.  

Don's hobbies included genealogy studying and providing oral histories to his family of the Trentham and Earhart families and their immigration to the United States of America and Oklahoma, playing golf and being a lifetime Oklahoma Sooners fan watching the Oklahoma Sooners football and softball teams.

More than anything, Don was a devoted family man.  He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.  Don is survived by wife June, children Lora Trentham of Madison, AL and Mark Trentham of Hugoton, KS, grandson Jacob Trentham, sister Linda Roberts of Oklahoma City, brother Larry and his wife Janet Trentham of Hobart, OK plus a wide circle of friends, extended family and loyal customers.  He was preceded in death by his parents Leon and Freda Trentham and older brother Charles Trentham.

A celebration of Don's life will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Hugoton Methodist Church with Pastor Wesley Young officiating and where family, friends and colleagues are invited to share memories and honor his incredible life.  Interment will follow at the Hugoton Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Hugoton.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Rotary International Foundation or Forewinds Golf Course in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 920 E. 11th St. Hugoton, KS  67951.  Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.