Allen "Buck" LeRoy Trott, Jr.

Highlands has lost a public servant and community leader, and the nation has lost an American patriot and United States Air Force warrior. Former Mayor Allen "Buck" Trott peacefully passed away into his last flight into the wild blue yonder Thursday morning, September 15, 2016, at the Fidelia Eckerd Living Center.

Trott, born in 1928, was 88 and had been a resident of Highlands for nearly thirty years. He served as mayor for 8 years and retired as a colonel after thirty years of service in the United States Air Force. He was a veteran of the Second World War and did multiple tours in Vietnam. As a community leader Trott played key roles in numerous organizations including the Highlands Boy Scouts Troop 207. He served for many years as coordinator of Special Operations Warriors Adventure Race that is held in Highlands every summer. He was past president of the Hudson Library Board, the Mirror Lake Homeowners Association, and the Highlands Historical Society.   As mayor, he worked with the Highlands Biological Station to gain state and university support and led the town in many infrastructure and road improvements.    He was an active member of the Highlands American Legion Post, and the Highlands Rotary Club. Trott developed the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation's breakfast ministry where he was an active member for all the years he resided in Highlands.

For many years Trott was the Highlands' Santa Claus and made double appearances in the annual Christmas parade. He would lead the parade as mayor and then rush back to the end of the parade, change into his Santa Claus suit, and ride in a sleigh down Main Street at the end of the parade. He devoted countless hours during the Christmas season visiting with children and community groups as Santa.

As an US Air Force officer, Trott had a distinguished career that included nearly 1200 combat missions during the Vietnam conflict. He was awarded numerous medals and citations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Readiness Award. He also received the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service and Campaign Medal. As a member of the US Coast Guard, he was assigned to duty in the North Atlantic and received the World War II Victory Medal. He retired from the Air Force in 1980.

After World War II, Trott completed high school and went on to graduate from the University of Maryland where he played football, 1950‑1951. While in the Air Force he received a master's degree in public administration from George Washington University.

Trott is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jean Trott of Highlands. He is also survived by his three children, Mark Trott (Caroline), Lorna Beavers, and Amy St. Amand and three step children, Sallie Taylor (Patrick), Jeannette Chidsey, and Truman Chidsey (Gretchen). He had 19 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 1:00 pm at The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Highlands with Rev. Maurice Goldsmith officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Highlands Boy Scouts Troop 207, PO Box 1632, Highlands, North Carolina 28741, or the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, PO Box 89367, Tampa, FL 33689.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Trott family. Online condolences are available at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

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