Rodney Lee Trimble, Sr. Obituary

Rodney L. “Rod” Trimble, Sr.,  85, of Melrose, Kansas passed away at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.

Rodney Lee Trimble, Sr. was born August 1, 1936 in Gladewater, Texas to Walter Coker Trimble and Addie Lee (Rash) Trimble.  Rod grew up and attended school in Texas City, Texas graduating from high school there in 1955.  Following high school, he attended Sam Houston State University and the Texas Christian University.   In 1958, Rod entered the United States Air Force and served his country as a fighter pilot, doing three tours of duty in Vietnam where he piloted an F-104C Star Fighter.  Over the years, he was stationed in various places until his discharge from the Air Force after 16 years.

In 1981, the family moved to Kansas where they lived in Coffeyville for a year until moving to Chetopa in 1982.  Rod owned and operated a body shop called Rod's Restoration for many years.  Rod especially enjoyed cars, motorcycles and airplanes.  He attended the Chetopa United Methodist Church.  He was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of York Rite and Shrine.

On March 2, 1967, Rod was united in marriage with Carolyn Sue Trotter in Texas City.  She survives of the home.

Survivors include, his wife of 54 years, Carolyn, of the home; three sons, Donald Trimble (Evelyn) of Hamilton, Ohio, Rod Trimble, Jr., of the home and Steve Trimble (Starla) of  Chetopa; two daughters, Erin Trimble (OC) of Independence, Kansas and Karin Trimble of Chetopa; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren and one sister, Myra N. Miller of Orange, Texas.

In addition to his parents, Rod was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Ashley Castorena.