John Trentman

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John Trentman

October 6, 1946 ~ March 19, 2023

“Big John” died peacefully Sunday morning, March 19, 2023, at his home in Sandy. John was surrounded by his loving family.

He was born October 6, 1946, to Richard B. Trentman and Lorene “Dorsey” Trentman. Growing up in Ft. Worth, Texas, John attended St. Andrews Catholic School and Our Lady of Victory before graduating from Paschal High School in 1965, where he met his high school sweetheart, Harriett. John married Harriett Garvie on October 14, 1966. John and Harriett moved to Salt Lake City in 1970, where they raised their five children and John worked with the family Weight Watchers franchises, where he shared in the expansion of Weight Watchers and its operations through the 1990s.

He grew up with an enthusiastic interest in motorbikes, muscle cars and music. John later turned this interest into his vocation as the owner of Mr. T’s Paint & Body in the 1980s. He had an endless passion for cars and motorcycles, having restored several vintage models over the years.

John twice again married, sharing his life with Cecilia “Cathy” Trentman and Jennette Defa. John and Cathy raised their blended family of seven children together in the Willow Creek area of Sandy. Here John developed many lasting friendships while he enjoyed playing in local golf leagues and tournaments.

Having a blessed life, John collected Harley Davidsons, ’60s muscle cars, and airplanes, the latter of which he used to give back and benefit his community as Command Pilot John Trentman – a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight West, where John was able to take his decades-old love of flying and transporting in-need individuals to essential medical facilities.

John is survived by his older brother, Ric Trentman; his five children Kelli Denise Trentman-Zane and her three children (Kiera, Kalyn and Caden), Tammy Lynn Trentman and her two kids (Chance and Taylor), his twins, Deedra Rae Wells and her husband Sean, John L. Trentman, Jr. and his wife Jenni, and his youngest David Bryan Trentman and son (Roman).

A funeral Mass was celebrated on March 29, 2023, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Salt Lake City.

John was larger than life and will not be soon forgotten.