Dr. Trenton A Janda

Traverse City – Trenton Allen Janda, passed away Saturday December 10, 2022 after a long and valiant battle with Gallbladder Cancer. Trent fought with everything he had but the Cancer was relentless. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family and closest friends. This was just a month after his Mom Janet Kay Janda (Boone) passed away, and 10 days before Trent’s 54th birthday. He will be greatly missed, but we are comforted by the fact that he has joined Jesus, his mother and other cherished family.

Trent was born December 20, 1968 to Kenneth L. and Janet K. Janda (Boone) at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan. Trent is survived by his wife Lynita Janda (Chalfant), his children; daughters Meghan, Amanda, Breanna Polk (Caleb), a son, Matthew (Alyssa), and younger brother Chris Janda (Dusti). Plus grandchildren Ellie and Barry (Polk), and his nephew Hayden and niece Analiese Janda. Trent started elementary school in Traverse City Michigan where he met and continued a lifelong friendship with Scott Wikle. When Trent was eight his folks moved to a new home near Suttons Bay, Michigan where he made many more friends. Trent dedicated his life to helping others. From a young age, he was always organizing and giving to others. It started out with subdivision Easter egg hunts and building haunted houses for all the neighbor kids at Halloween. He also volunteered with his parents and brother at the Telephone Pioneers, Make-A Wish and Talking Books for the Blind.

In 1987, Trent graduated from Suttons Bay High School with Honors and was voted most dependable, friendliest and most organized by his Senior Class. Trent was accepted to Michigan State University (MSU). While attending the prestigious university, Trent served as a Resident Advisor, remained on the Honor Roll and earned a BA in Marketing.

But God had even bigger plans for Trent. While on vacation with his parents and brother, they witnessed an accident. In typical fashion, Trent lent a hand to the volunteer fire department. That accident was the beginning of Trent’s journey to become a Doctor.

In 1990, while Trent was finishing up his BA in Marketing, he married his high school sweetheart, Lyn Chalfant in Hawaii. In 1991 Trent applied and was accepted to the Osteopathic Medicine Program at MSU and joined the Army Reserves to pay for medical school and continued to remain on the Honor Roll.

During this busy schedule in Pre-Med, Trent and Lynn still found time to start a family. Trent was never afraid of hard work and worked at various jobs while in college from the famed Ice Makers job to MSU’s Office of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Safety, and Graduate Assistant in Public Relations of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and Department of Physiology.

After Trent received his medical degree, he became an active-duty officer and served in the Army for just over 8 years. During this time, he was stationed in Oahu Hawaii, Wuerzburg Germany and a tour of duty in Iraq. While in the Army, he served at the Tripler Army Medical Center as Chief Resident in Family Medicine (Hawaii), Medical Director (Germany), Clinic Commander (Germany), Quality Improvement Officer (Germany), and Flight Surgeon for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2004, earning an Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star.

After the Army Trent then joined the Coast Guard where he was stationed in Kodiak Alaska and later in Washington DC. Trent and Lyn purchased their first home in Nokesville Virginia after Trent’s transfer to the Coast Guard HQ in DC. Trent turned their Nokesville home into an oasis, building a deck, swimming pool and beautiful garden. Between working long hours and the 2 to 2.5 hr. commute to DC, Trent still found time to complete those projects and serve on the Subdivision HOA.

Trent served for almost 11 years as Senior Medical Officer / Flight Surgeon and Chief Medical Information Officer earning the Meritorious Service Medal before retiring at the rank of Captain. While in the Coast Guard he designed and implemented an Integrated Health Information System that saved an estimated $10 million dollars in the first 5 years. The system was so successful that the State Department signed an agreement to share the solution. During his military career he also worked for the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. After the Coast Guard Trent finished his public service at the FDA as a Clinical Reviewer.

After retiring from the public service, Trent went to work for Apprio Inc. as Chief Medical Innovation Officer and most recently was President of Top Docs Inc.; a medical services provider to government and private clients.

During all that, he and his wife Lyn raised 4 children; Meghan, Amanda, Breanna, and Matthew.

In 2020 Trent and Lyn returned to Traverse City Michigan to build their dream home so they could be close to their friends again, as well as Trent’s parents Ken and Jan, and brother Chris and his family. Trent also returned to the church he had attended in his youth.

Sadly, the plans to grow old in his dream home, rekindle old friendships, and assist his brother with his parents were cut short when he received a diagnosis of stage IV Gallbladder Cancer in July of 2021. Trent fought hard and remained determined to complete what he started, never complaining and always ready to lend a helping hand to others. While receiving Cancer treatment, he remained at his job full-time while working on the new house until his illness forced him to stop. But he still managed to move his family into their new home and have a Giant Christmas Tree that he always dreamed of.

Just like when God had bigger plans for Trent to become a Doctor, He must have had even greater plan to bring him home early. Those who know Trent knew how determined, thoughtful and caring he was. Trent will finally be able to take a rest. Rest easy Son, Brother, Husband, Dad, Uncle, Grandpa; Dr. Trent Janda knowing you made the world a better place.

Please share memories and condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.