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Raeford Leon Trotter, Jr. Obituary

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Raeford Leon Trotter, Jr.

Charlotte, NC

September 20, 1952 - April 24, 2021

Raeford Leon Trotter, Jr. Obituary

Raeford Leon Trotter, Jr., of Charlotte, died April 24, 2021 after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. Leon was the son of RayBob (who preceded him in death) and Shirley Jean Byerly Trotter. He was a graduate of High Point University and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, and attended Hood Theological Seminary. Leon was a man of faith. He trusted in the promises of God, through Jesus Christ, that there is a future beyond this earthly life, to sustain him and give him optimism and hope while fighting cancer. And Leon considered himself a blessed man. He was blessed with good health well into the final stages of his illness. He was an avid (not fast) runner, having completed four half-marathons and a full marathon after his 58th birthday. He was training for a CrossFit competition when diagnosed with his disease. He was blessed with the most unusual and diverse group of friends a man could have. It was quite a cast of characters. The one thing they all bore in common was a tremendous sense of humor. They loved to laugh, a must if you wanted to spend time with Leon. He always loved a good laugh and to make others laugh. He was blessed with a wonderful extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who had a greater impact on his life than they will ever know. A very special aunt, Carol Floyd Chapin, gets a special shout-out. She and her late husband, Phil Sherrill Floyd, introduced Leon to a larger world of possibilities than he would have otherwise known. He was blessed with two great brothers, Ricky and Randy, sisters-in-law Penny (who preceded him in death) and Sherri, and a beautiful niece Samantha. He loved them all. He especially enjoyed working, golfing, and just hanging out with his bothers. He was blessed to be the husband of two beautiful and brilliant women whose only lapse in judgment was marrying him: Karen Sledge Trotter (who preceded him in death) and Gloria Topping Trotter, his wife of the last seven years. These two women were Leon’s foundation, and without them his life would have been greatly diminished. He was blessed with three wonderful children who made his life complete: Erin Trotter (Ermali Aliaj) of Chicago; Kyle Trotter of Thomasville; and Cara Trotter of Charlotte. He was also blessed in his final months with a granddaughter, Amaya Aliaj, who held his heart in her tiny little hands from the moment she arrived on Earth. He was blessed to have a new best buddy in his final days. Gloria’s Goldendoodle, Gilhooley, was a constant source of companionship, amusement, and unconditional love. At the end of the day what more can a man ask? An abiding faith, good health, a good wife or two, a good family, good friends, and a good dog. And lots of laughs along the way. Leon had it all and was indeed a very blessed man! Due to COVID-19, there will be no service at this time. When it is safe to travel and meet, there will be a celebration of Leon's life, in Charlotte, for family and friends. Online condolences may be sent to the family at tallentfuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, Leon has asked that any memorials be directed to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, 500 Spratt St. B, Charlotte, NC 28206.

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