Obituary of Leighton Lynn Trent

Leighton Lynn Trent, Jr., 68, of Chattanooga, died June 19, 2016, after a brief bout with pulmonary hypertension. He was born in Vicksburg, MS, February 28, 1948, to Leighton L. Trent, Sr., and Ann Lewis Trent, both of whom preceded him in death. His father was Associate General Secretary of the Chattanooga YMCA for many years, and his mother taught math in the former Chattanooga City Schools. He graduated from City High School in 1966 and was in the first class to graduate from UTC, formerly UC, in 1970. For many years he taught high school math in both Chattanooga and Walker County Schools. He was currently a tax preparer for Johnson, Hickey, Murchison. For most of his life, following the example of his parents, Lynn was an active member of Brainerd United Methodist Church, serving for 30 years as an usher, and he was treasurer of the Kingsbury Class. Lynn was well-known to UTC Mocs fans as statistician for the football Mocs for 50 years, a job he began as a student at UTC, and as clock operator for the men’s and women’s basketball teams for almost that long. Earlier this year he received the Harold Wilkes Award for his 50 years of service to UTC football. Sports were always an important part of his life. As a youth, he spent hours throwing a ball against a wall to practice catching, became skilled at sinking basketball free throw shots, and could quote statistics for any baseball player you could name. Because of arthritis early in his life, he could not participate actively, so he worked at developing skills as a trainer, statistician, and other things that would keep him around athletics. He even worked a stint at the Chattanooga Times as a part-time sports reporter. Remembered by all as a kind and gentle man who genuinely appreciated those around him, Lynn shared compliments freely and sincerely and acknowledged birthdays without fail. It was always his great delight to encounter former students, and he kept in touch with the youth with whom he had worked as a church youth counselor years before. Lynn was especially proud to see his sister and then his niece ordained as UM ministers. Lynn is survived by his wife of 32 years, Katherine Houck Trent; son, Leighton Richard Trent (Jenny); grandson Leighton William (Will) Trent; and siblings Rev. Laura E. Trent of Chattanooga, and William (Bill) O. Trent (Jo) of Anderson, SC; and several nieces and nephews, including Derek Trent (Dixie) of Anderson, SC; Rev. Evelyn Harris (Rev. Eric Rieger) of Chattanooga; and Trent Boutz of Bahama, NC. The family will welcome friends on Saturday, June 25, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at Wann Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 26, at Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Rd., with receiving of friends an hour before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Lynn’s church home, Brainerd United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo (423) 821-7551. www.wannfuneralhome.com.