Dennis W. Trigg was born in Sacramento, California on July 9, 1946 to H.D. Trigg and Mary Irene Sellers. He passed away in San Diego, California on January 8, 2026 at age 79.

He married his high school sweetheart Mary Helen McCall in 1965. They had two children, Christine and Michael, and they lived in many states as well as Germany and Okinawa as a proud military family. He was smitten with his three granddaughters and was a doting grandfather, known to them as Granddad.

Dennis joined the US Army in April of 1967 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in August of 1990. He had a distinguished career as an attack helicopter pilot, instructor pilot, basic training company commander and plans officer. His military decorations include the Master Aviator Badge, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star medal. He served two tours in Vietnam and was the Executive Officer of the "Pink Panthers" 361 Aerial Weapons Company in his second tour. He ended his military career working as a liaison officer to the US Navy's amphibious groups in Okinawa and San Diego.

As a nature lover, Dennis enjoyed watching wildlife television shows, the hummingbirds in his yard and checking the critter cam for nighttime visitors at his Rancho Bernardo home. He had a passion for fishing and enjoyed fly fishing on the rivers in Colorado and Montana.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 60 years Mary, daughter Christine Cole (John), son Michael Trigg (Channa), grandchildren Mandy, Sarah and Tory Cole and sisters Diana Black (Don) and Susan Trigg.

Committal service with Military Honors will be held at the Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive in San Diego, on January 21, 2026 at 11:30am with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the San Diego Food Bank ( sandiegofoodbank.org ) or the American Red Cross ( www.redcross.org ).