- Thomas Parrish Trollinger, 77, son of the late Lillie Bell and Isaiah Trollinger, Sr. was called to his Heavenly Father on December 10, 2020. Trollinger graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in 1965 with a degree in Economics and Social Studies. After graduation he taught school in Bethel, NC for the Pitt County School System from 1965 until 1967. From 1967 until 1968 he was employed by the Lee County School System in Sanford, NC as a Social Studies teacher.
Following a brief stint in graduate school at North Carolina A&T State University, Trollinger joined Wachovia Bank & Trust Company in Winston-Salem, NC as an Assistant Purchasing Agent. After 8 ½ years at Wachovia and after attaining the position of Assistant Vice-President and Purchasing Agent, Trollinger established Contract Office Furnishings, Inc. in 1977. Contract Office Furnishings was one the leading African American owned Office Furnishing Dealers in the Southeast and celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2012. "COF" completed contracts in over sixteen states and two foreign countries. In addition to founding COF, Trollinger was heavily involved in developing/co-developing several real estate projects in the East Winston Community including Bramblegate, Spanish Pines, Carver Glen, Lansing Ridge, and Willow Ridge. He was involved in getting Forsyth Technical Community College and the Forsyth County Library to locate branches on Carver School Road.
He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and a Golden Life Member of the NAACP. Trollinger served on the following board memberships: NC A&T State University Business Advisory Board, Winston Group Investment Club, North Carolina Real Estate Association, United Metropolitan Baptist Church Board of Deacons, Winston-Salem Nursing Division, Branch Banking & Trust Company, Triad Minority Supplier Development, Leadership Winston-Salem, East Winston Economic Development Board, East Area Council of Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, Winston Lake YMCA, Winston-Salem Foundation, NC Association of Minority Businesses, NC Economic Development Board, East Winston Noon-Optimist Club, Winston-Salem Alliance, Winston-Salem State Business Advisory Board, Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, WFMY-TV 2 Those Who Care, and Winston-Salem Business, Inc.
The following recognitions were made to Trollinger for his commitment to improve the quality of life in his community. Some awards include: 1981 and 1982 Businessman of the Year from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., 1984 Business of the Year from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 1985 Minority Business of the Year from the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, 1986 Distinguished Citizen Award from Sophisticated Gents Inc., 1990 Community Service Award from Bankers Education Society Inc., 1990 Vendor the Year Award from Triad Minority Purchasing Council, 1991 Business of the Month Award from Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, 1994 Manhood Achievement Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., 1995 Vendor Appreciation Award from AT&T Guilford Center-Greensboro, NC, 1996 Business Associate of the Year from American Business Woman Association, 1997 Distinguished Service Award from Bachelor Benedict Club, 1998 Outstanding Business Award from New Bethel Baptist Church, 1998 Golden Heritage Life Member of the NAACP, 2002 Excellence in Leadership Award from the Salvation Army, 2002 25th Year Authorized Steel Dealer Award, 2002 Marshall B. Bass Better Business Award from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and the 2007 City of Winston-Salem Resolution 30th Anniversary Bachelor Benedict Club Man of the Year.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kay Trollinger; two children, Yolanda and Michael Trollinger; daughter-in-law, Rochelle Trollinger; two grandchildren, Isaiah and Mikayla Trollinger; one sister, Virginia Richardson; three brothers, Charles (Evelyn), John (Fail), and Isaiah (Mary) Trollinger, Jr.; brother-in-law, Butch Haith; sister-in-law, Hilda Robinson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Private memorial services will be announced and held at a later date. Online condolences can be made at www.russellfuneralservice.com. (RUSSELL)
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Published by Winston-Salem Journal on Dec. 30, 2020.
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1943 - 2020 (77 years)
