Dr. James Davis Trolinger

It is with a heavy heart and yet immense gratitude for a life well lived that we share the passing of Dr. James D. Trolinger, on 26th November 2025, aged 85 years—a brilliant optical physicist, artist, and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend whose warmth and wisdom impacted countless people across the globe.

Dr. Trolinger’s dedication to success was rooted in his youth, starting as a newspaper delivery boy in Shelbyville, Tennessee. This strong work ethic propelled him through college, where he began his long and distinguished association with the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) as a co-op student. Following his graduation, Dr. Trolinger became a full-time scientist in the office of the managing director at AEDC, a role he balanced with a professorship at the University of Tennessee Space Institute. He and his science teams pioneered many applications of lasers in particle and flow diagnostics and aero-optics, beginning with the first application of holographic particle image velocimetry (published in 1968), followed by over 100 publications of optical diagnostic methods.

Driven by his desire to translate research into application, Dr. Trolinger co-founded two highly successful optical technology firms: Spectron Development Laboratories Inc. and MetroLaser Inc. Through these endeavors, his pioneering expertise achieved global recognition, culminating in prestigious honors including the George W. Goddard Award (SPIE), the Aerodynamics Measurement Technique Award (AIAA), and the Chandra S. Vikram Award in Optical Metrology (SPIE).

Reflecting his character and collegiality, Dr. Trolinger was knighted as a Holoknight in 1995. This organization honors the world’s foremost holography experts who demonstrate exceptional hospitality, friendship, and willingness to assist others, an honor and responsibility that he took seriously.

A graduate of Shelbyville Central High School, he held degrees from the University of Tennessee (a Bachelor's in Engineering Physics and a Ph.D. in Physics) and Louisiana State University (a Master's in Physics).

While his professional achievements were extraordinary, James was so much more than his impressive resume. He was a passionate lover of life, travel, and art, embracing the world with curiosity and joy. Beyond the lab, he channeled his creativity into painting and sketching, finding great pleasure in his art and the community of like-minded artists he joined.

James was preceded in death by his father, Winston Trolinger; his mother, Euna Mae Davis Trolinger; and his brother, Perry Trolinger (Ann).

He is survived by his beloved wife, Pauline Abbott; his children, James Trolinger Jr. (Joan), Kris Trolinger Brummett, and Jonathan Trolinger (Elizabeth Sowers); his grandchildren, Wesley Brummett (Maria), Christian Brummett (Garrett Sumpf), and Kaleb Wombacher-Trolinger; his great-grandson, August James Brummett; and his siblings, his sister Martha Gene Cartwright (Wallace) and his brother, William “Bill” Trolinger (Pam) along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

We will miss his light in our world, but the science he advanced, the art he created, and the love he shared with everyone will continue to illuminate the lives of those who knew him.

A memorial gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate his extraordinary life.