James Edward Trusty

TRUSTY, James Edward (Jim)—Age 77, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2012, from complications of brain cancer during Alive Hospice care at his residence. Preceded in death by mother Clara Smith Trusty Schmittou and father Thomas J. Trusty. Survived by his loving wife of 24 years Donna Sue Matthews Trusty; son William Jeffrey Matthews, wife Rebecca Chace Matthews, and granddaughter Madeleine Devereaux Matthews (Roswell, GA); mother-in-law Martha Tillman and brother-in-law Michael Tillman (Nashville); niece Shannon Markham Bell (Douglas) and grand niece Esther JoAnne Bell (Springfield); and special friends Henry McCall and Howard Sanders (Nashville), Linda A. Quarles (Brentwood), and Patricia M. Wallenberg (Illinois). Jim attended Clemmons Grammar School, graduated from West End High School, Nashville, and attended University of TN. He served in the U.S. Army with assignments including Ft. Leonard Wood (Missouri) and Island of Guam and was honorably discharged June 1963. A licensed real estate broker for most of his business career in Middle TN, his genuine passion was aviation. He was a qualified pilot and instructor in multiple types of aircraft who taught hundreds of individuals to fly. Working primarily at Smyrna Regional Airport, he loved piloting the MU2 at Howell Enterprises. He was heavily involved in various FAA Safety Programs and authored many articles for various aviation publications with the major focus on safety. He received many FAA District and Regional Performance Awards over the years with his proudest achievement being selected as the 1997 Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. The family expresses special thanks to Alive Hospice staff for easing his final weeks and to his many friends who called, emailed and visited. Visitation Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:30 a.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Chapel, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville. Interment following in Woodlawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers are William Jeffrey Matthews, Reece Howell III, John Black, Clay Cook, Robert Hill, Dr. Ken Holbert, Paul Jones, Paul Lamb, and Larry Williams.