James F. Trent

James (Jim) Fred Trent, 80, of Stillwater passed from this life on Friday, February 7, 2014. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and a service celebrating Jamess life will be held at 10:00am on February 17, 2014 at Perkins First Baptist Church.

James was born on November 11, 1933 in Hardesty, OK to Fred and Mabel (Smith) Trent. He grew up and attended schools in Hardesty, graduating from Hardesty High School. He later attended college at Panhandle State University in Goodwell, OK. After college, James began a lifelong career with the United States Army, where he began as a teletype operator. James served his country honorably in the US Army from 1956-1962. While stationed in Ansbach, Germany, he traveled to Nuernberg over his Christmas holiday leave in 1957. It was during this time that he met his wife Marianne. They married in August of 1958 in Hardesty, OK and moved to Hooker, OK in 1959 where James worked for Kilgore Chevrolet. Following his discharge from the US Army, James joined the US Army Reserves.

In 1979, James returned to active duty service to serve as a recruiter. James loved being a recruiter, as he enjoyed working with all the recruits. He received several awards for being the top recruiter in the states of Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. In 1985 James and Marianne moved to Colorado Springs, CO where James was stationed at Ft. Carson until retiring as a Recruiting and Retention NCO in 1995. He and Marianne relocated to Stillwater, OK in 1998 to be closer to their family. James loved staying busy and held several jobs at local businesses like Fentons Motors, Walmart, Napa Auto Parts, On-Cue and Enterprise Car Rental.

James was a longtime member of the Frontier Masonic Lodge before transferring to the Ingalls-Glencoe Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Hooker Lions Club. James enjoyed collecting stamps, fishing with family and friends, completing crossword puzzles and talking with family and friends. He was extremely personable and found making friends to be very easy. James was just an easy going, laid back man who always had a story for his family and friends. James was a loving husband, a caring father, a proud grandpa, and a loyal patriot who will be missed by all who knew him.

James was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law Dr. Everett Short.
James is survived by his wife Marianne of the home. Two daughters: Susanne Short of Perkins, OK; Patricia Mitchell and spouse Scott of Stillwater, OK Two grandchildren: Charles Short of Perkins, OK; Nicole Tracy and spouse Phil of Coyle, OK Sister Lois Fern Woodrum and spouse Robert of Shattuck, OK and family and sister Gloria Root and spouse Curt of Guymon, OK .

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in Jamess name to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Lung Association/COPD in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home at 5106 N. Washington. Stillwater, OK 74075