James H. Trotter Sr.

James H. Trotter, Sr., a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on December 11, 2022, at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis surrounded by family. He was born November 11, 1952, in Indianapolis to Joan Simmons and Charles Trotter, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sylvia (Smith) Trotter; he was 70 years old when he transitioned.

James graduated from George Washington High School where he played varsity basketball. He started his career at Thompson Construction in underground utilities. In 1994, He founded Trotter Construction, a minority-owned general contracting company specializing in underground utility infrastructure, concrete work, trenchless technology, and construction management.

Trotter Construction employed more than 100 employees during the 16 years in business and worked on some of Indiana’s most notable construction projects. Trotter Construction worked for some of the most prominent companies in Indiana including Indianapolis Power and Light, Mid-America Energy Resources, IPS schools, Citizens Gas, Indianapolis Airport Authority and the City of Indianapolis to name a few. Trotter Construction completed chill water projects throughout the Indianapolis Downtown area. Through partnerships with Turner Construction, construction management and renovation projects were completed at Broad Ripple, and Howe High School and other K-12 projects. In addition, that partnership led to working on the Colonel Weir Cook Indianapolis Airport and projects in North Carolina. Trotter Construction also had the honor of maintaining the grounds for the Congressional Medal of Honor memorial, a project he felt was a labor of love.

In additional to Trotter Construction, he founded Consulting Management Inspections Design (CMID) Inc., Trotter Trucking, and other business ventures. CMID is a minority-owned engineering and architecture consulting firmed founded in 1996 to perform civil engineering design and inspection work for private and public sector clients. As a business owner he gave many young professionals an opportunity to work in the construction industry, including his own children.

James enjoyed golfing, traveling to Aruba with his wife, and watching sports. His favorite football team was the Indianapolis Colts and he cheered on the Indiana Pacers. He enjoyed practicing hospitality as a suite owner for both hometown teams. In his later years, he appreciated the company of family and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his two sons Stacey A. Trotter (1985) and James H. Trotter, Jr. (2021). He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Sylvia, and children, Cameron G. Trotter (Chelsi), Paul Shipp, William D. Woodson (Aryca), India J. Hemphill, Mistie I. Trotter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, aunts, nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

He was a loving Husband, Daddy, Granddaddy, and Great-Granddaddy and loved to spend time with family and friends. He will be remembered and missed forever in our hearts.