Terry Donald Trovato died November 16, 2023, surrounded by family at his home in Fairhope, Alabama, at age 82.
Born June 18, 1941, in Louisville, Kentucky, Terry attended the Louisville Public Schools. Upon graduation from du Pont Manual High School, he attended the University of Kentucky on a music scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. At UK, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order.
Upon graduation, he was employed by The Blood-Horse magazine in Lexington, Kentucky, and during that time attended The Jockey Club School for Officials in New York City. Throughout his life he maintained an extensive library and art collection on the history of the Thoroughbred breed. He was a member of the Keeneland Club and the Thoroughbred Club of America, Lexington.
Terry subsequently had an extensive public relations career in the oil industry with Standard Oil Company (Kentucky), Louisville; the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), New Orleans; and Callon Petroleum Company, Natchez, Mississippi. Upon retirement from Callon, he enjoyed his subsequent role as Historian and Mansion Host at the Dunleith Historic Inn in Natchez.
He was an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America and president of that organization’s New Orleans’ Chapter, and also served as an officer and director of The Press Club of New Orleans. He was a founder and president of the Austin-Healey Club of Louisiana and subsequently served as president of the English Motoring Club of Mississippi.
In Natchez, Terry served as co-chairman of the city’s Bicentennial Celebration in 1998; the Executive Board of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce; and, was a member of the Executive Board of the United Way of the Greater Miss-Lou. He also renewed his drumming skills during this time, playing for several musicals produced by the Natchez Little Theatre as well as participating in the Krewe of Killarney’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade for over two decades. He participated in “Angels on the Bluff,” an annual fund-raiser to benefit the Natchez City Cemetery, where he appeared as a “ghost” drummer, guitarist and banjo player. During his time in Natchez, he also served as a judge for the annual Euro-Fest Classic Car Show, which featured vintage cars from all over Europe.
Terry is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Merideth Piggott Trovato; as well as his sister-in-law, Susan Piggott (Michael Tooke); his brother-in-law, Guido Piggott (Laurie); and his devoted white Labrador Retriever, Dixiebell.
Expressions of sympathy may be directed to St. Francis at the Point, Box 916, Point Clear, Alabama 36564. Online expressions of condolences for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Terry was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He and Meredith introduced my wife and I to the joys of British motoring when I purchased a car from them in Natchez several years ago. We enjoyed visiting with them at car shows in Natchez and in Fairhope.
Meredith, I just saw the article about Terry. I am so very sad, but wanted you to know that I will be keeping you in my prayers. So many happy memories of you both .. He was a dear friend to us.
Love,
Judy
Terry was the epitome of a true southern gentleman. He never met a stranger and was a great conversationalist, and host. You two were the perfect couple-such a gleam in each of your eyes. We all will surely be together -forever-one day. You have such great memories to keep you smiling. Am so happy he got to see Dixiebelle. Much love, Becky Linton
Meredith, we’re so sorry to hear of Terry’s death. He was such a multi-talented individual and asset to the Miss-Lou. Together y’all were the perfect couple.
May the knowledge that many friends are lifting you in prayer be a consolation to you and the memories you have console you in your grief. God bless
Betty Lou and Johnny
Meredith, I’m sad to hear about Terry. He was such a nice guy. He made everyone feel special. He was an asset to Natchez when he was here. God bless and comfort you and the rest of his family.
Merideth.. I’m heartbroken and devastated by your sudden loss of Terry after such a brief period of illness. However, I am very thankful that he could return home and be surrounded by his loves and Dixiebell. I’ll always be honored that he and you both welcomed me into your lives this past year and made my new home joyful. I sure enjoyed those special get togethers, conversations and laughter. May you have some peace knowing how much he was loved by all.
Meredith,
I am so saddened to read of Terry’s passing. He had a positive impact on everyone he met. May you be consoled in knowing our deepest thoughts and prayer are with you during this time.
My heart is heavy this morning with the news that a beloved friend to me and to so many in Natchez has passed away. Terry Trovato was an amazing individual who made a room brighter just by being in it. Some may recall that he was the inspiration behind a jazz trio he encouraged Bob Sizemore and me to be a part of – me on vocals and piano, Bob on bass, and Terry on drums. We named the trio after him, The Trovato Trio, and we had so much fun practicing together and making music together around town for a couple of years.
Terry had an amazing career in public relations, in the oil industry with Callon Petroleum, and as a retiree working as a historian and host at Dunleith. He was also an avid car enthusiast, loving especially antique British roadsters like his own Austin Healey.
He was a master at the drums. His many years of private lessons during his youth in Kentucky truly paid off! And his spirit was so young and beautiful, Bob and I dubbed him “the youngest” member of our trio even though he was several years our senior.
Before he moved to Fairhope, AL to enjoy retirement with his beautiful wife, Merideth Trovato, Terry played one last time with Bob and me and a beautiful vocalist, Kristi Tingle Higginbotham, wife of my childhood friend David, as a benefit for my 2020 campaign. It took place in early March right before covid shut the world down. Poignantly, our last song was “I’ll be Seeing You”. I’ll never forget it. His talent was remarkable!
Terry, I’ll be seeing you – and our prayers are with your dear wife and family. We will miss you, and we thank God for the time we had with you.
Merideth I am hearbroken to hear of Terry’s passing. He was such a bright light with his contagious smile and laughter. My deepest prayers for God’s peace for you and the family and God’s speed for Terry. Much love to you ❤️❤️
Our dear Merideth, Greg and I are heartbroken to hear about Terry’s passing. He will be deeply missed. Always was such a joy to be around, this is just so sad.
I was truly blessed to get to know Terry. A true Southern gentleman. It was always a blessing just to be around Terry.
Meredith may God bless you through the days ahead. Praying He pours out His Grace upon you through the days ahead. Know that you are loved!!!!!
Dear Merideth, we are all so sorry to hear about Terry. He was such a dear man and a bright light to us all. You were the cutest couple and we could all see how much you loved each other. God bless you, Merideth and please know how special you are to us all. Much Love ❤️🙏🏻
Meredith, our hearts are so broken to hear of Terry’s passing. What a legacy of beautiful memories he’s left for so many of us. May God bless you in the days ahead. With love, Susan & Clark
Terry and I met in 1961 when we were members of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity at the University of Kentucky. The beginning of a long and rewarding friendship. Terry was our social chairman, booking our Saturday night house bands at our off-campus fraternity house. He also booked our Old South bands that played Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Later in life he organized a Keenland Racetrack weekend inviting fraternity brothers and friends from Natchez. Our friendship grew stronger with age since we had many similar interests. Susan and I visited with Terry and Meredith in September. So happy we did. Loved this man as a brother and will miss him terribly. Meredith, Terry’s passing was a very sad day, and he will be missed by many. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you. Yet, through it all, he left all of us with many fond memories.
Terry TROVATO was a larger than life icon to me. He was the epitome of Class, a true Southern Gentleman, and my friend.
I will miss you Terry, more than I could ever explain.
Terry and I met in 1961 as members of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. We remained friends from that time forward and shared many similar interests. Terry was our Social Chairman for Life. In college, he booked our bands for our Saturday night parties in the basement of our off-campus fraternity house. He booked our bands for our annual Old South Ball that started on Friday and ended on Sunday. Also, he kept our juke box filled with the latest hits. In later years he organized a Keenland Racetrack get together for fraternity brothers and Natchez friends. He thoroughly enjoyed being with friends and made the effort to keep us connected. Susan & I were fortunate enough to visit Terry and Meredith in September. Unknowingly it would be our last time with Terry. He drove us around in their golf cart showing us points of interest in Point Clear. Great visit as they all were. Loved that man like a brother and will miss him terribly. Meredith, you were the love of his life and a perfect match for each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we will always have all the fond memories Terry provided us.
So sorry for your loss!
My wife,Nancy and I, are very sad to hear about Terry. I have known Terry for 65 years.He and I were both in Sigma Litery club in high school and Kappa Alpha Order at University of Kentucky..
Nancy and I visited Terry and Mer in Natchetz Mississippi. Several years ago. The were very gracious to us.
We will miss him terribly
I loved him as a brother.
Meredith,
I am sorry to hear about Terry. He was a lovely man and I know you will miss him.
Sherry Jones
Meredith Piggott Trovato, Debbie and I have your love and Terry’s spirit with us during this time of passing. Terry changed my life in 1961, when I stayed with him one hot summer in the old K A House. He enable me to become a member of the K A Order. He became my ‘little brother”. Terry was instrumental in the K A’s becoming open to the Black Nation thru the many fabulous bands that played at the house and the major venues of Lexington.. We all admired and respected the love and energy these bands displayed intheir many performances..Some of the bands, Terry contracted to play, stay overnight in our basement at times. Terry ,like myself, where both aware of the Louisville radio station WLOU. and its influence our love of R&B, our Black Brothers.and music in general. Terry, was never a threat to any one. He was a true friend to all of us. His energy and gentleman’s manners continued throughout his life. All was well as long as Terry was around. We were also Austin Healey Buddies. Terry and Meredift came back into our life, after moving to Natchez from New Orleans during Katrina. Both offered us hope and love during this trying time. Also, seeing you and Terry again in 2021 at the K A Reunion on Ron Lawson’s farm outside of Stomping Grounds, Ky.. was the icing on the cake. What a great memory for all of us to have with your’s and Terry’s charm and wonderful energy. To say he will be missed is balanced with the memories as one of best Person,and Brother I have ever known. His very last word he said to me after the party was “Fred you are a good handsome man”. I received his final approval as his friend and a Member of the KA’s. Can’t get any better than that. Hope Terry is booking some great bands for all of our arrivals. Love you Terry. Hope to see you some day soon, Meredift