Obituary
William Jerry Trantham (75) (aka JT), most recently of Salt Springs, Florida, passed away on Monday, November 5, 2018. He was born in Anniston, Alabama to parents, Harvey and Thelma Trantham, on November 13, 1942. JT served his country by serving in the United States Army and fighting in the Vietnam War. Some of his favorite past-times centered on fishing and being on the water. JT also greatly enjoyed traveling his beautiful country, particularly in the mountains, and one of his most favorite places was around Yellowstone National Park. We can’t forget that he was also very found of his dog, Buddy, and frog legs – the eating of, not the actual catching.
JT was known for his fantastic sense of humor, and what his daughter Kendra calls “Dad-isms”. He could often be heard saying “Boff’ of ‘em”, “Down Yonder”, “Finer than frog’s hair”, and the popular phrase, “Y’ant to?” Some of his friends and family may recall some of the predicaments JT would find himself in, like the time he lost his false teeth while laying sod, or when he was asking that the biscuits be passed down to him at dinner one night, and his wedding band went flying, sailing into the gravy boat at the end of the table. There is even a recent story of JT being caught in the middle of the night, with the Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup bottle turned upside down and all the sugary treat was going down his gullet. Everything just won’t be the same without JT, and those whose lives he has touched shall forever be changed because of him.
JT is predeceased by his parents, Harvey Jefferson Trantham and Thelma Eula Trantham (Hyatt); and by his daughter, Deanne “Dondi” Lynn Coté.
He is survived by his son, Michael Shane Newstead, daughter, Kendra Lee Akers, grandchildren; Kelly Trantham, David Cote’, Kyle Gover, Timothy Provau, Ryan Newstead, Brandon Newstead, William Newstead, Michael Gaulin, Matthew Gaulin, Aubrey Akers-Simmons, Shaena Chastain, Brooke Akers, and Conner Akers.
A visitation for JT will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Baldwin Brothers, 1350 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778, with a funeral service at 4:00 PM.
Dad at my wedding
Me and Dad
Good times with J.T., Ed and Mike Newstead