John Trent McNulty, 72, died on September 20, 2026. He was born on August 2, 1954, at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

John grew up in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where his father served as a Major in the United States Marine Corps. He spent his younger years playing basketball with friends and running track for his varsity high school team. He later graduated from Catonsville High School in Catonsville, Maryland.

At just 16 years old, John met the love of his life, Letty, at a summer camp in Western North Carolina. Together, they built a life filled with family, work, adventure, laughter, and countless treasured memories.

John possessed a remarkably strong work ethic from an early age. He spent most of his career in sales and sales management—a profession perfectly suited to his outgoing personality, natural "gift of gab," and ability to connect with people. John never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. As his family often said, he could talk an Eskimo into buying ice.

John was loving, caring, chatty, flirtatious, funny, and fun. Sometimes maybe a little too much. He was known for being the life of the party. Beneath his larger-than-life personality was an extraordinarily generous heart. He would gladly give someone the shirt off his back—and then never think to buy a new one for himself.

John enjoyed hunting, fishing, crabbing, boating, riding his motorcycle, dancing, listening to music, watching movies and football, relaxing with a cold Busch beer. During his early adult years, Thanksgiving was always a true “Friendsgiving,” with friends gathering around a feast of fish, fowl, and venison that he and his buddies caught or shot. Those celebrations reflected John perfectly: good food, good stories, plenty of laughter, and an open door for the people he loved.

John and Letty purchased three and a half acres in Calvert County, Maryland, where they built their home, completing much of the work themselves with the help of dear friends. There, they raised their children and operated LaBritts Patuxent Kennels, breeding and training hunting dogs.

Some of the family’s happiest memories were made at their home —especially the excitement of Christmas mornings and the backyard crab feasts that followed summer days spent crabbing. John also raised his children on the water, taking them out on the family boat most summer weekends. They shared countless adventures along the Patuxent River and across the Chesapeake Bay.

Above all else, family was everything to John. Being a father and a grandfather brought him immeasurable pride and joy. His children and grandchildren were at the center of his heart, and the memories he created with them will remain part of his enduring legacy.

John was preceded in death by his father, William (Bill); his mother, Kathleen; and his beloved son, Michael.

He is survived by his daughter, Lauren, and her husband, Val; his son, Ryan, and his wife, Stephanie; and his cherished grandchildren, Quin, Audrey, and Dallas. He is also survived by his older sisters, Patricia and Donna, and her husband, Russell; his brother, Tim McNulty, and his wife, Tammy; and a wide circle of cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

John’s family extends its deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to the many compassionate professionals who provided him with exceptional care, love, and support throughout the past year: the staff of the University of Maryland Medical Center, especially the Shock Trauma and Neuro ICU teams; the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Institute in Woodlawn, Maryland; UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas; the Encompass Health Rehabilitation team in Euless, Texas; the staff and therapists of C. C. Young in Dallas; the teams at Orchard Pointe at Creek Valley and Avalon Memory Care in Carrollton, Texas; and the All Star Hospice team.

The family also offers its gracious and heartfelt appreciation to Prestonwood Baptist Church, its pastors, and its church community for surrounding John with prayer, love, and spiritual guidance. Their faithful support helped lead John to the decision to give his life to Christ and brought great comfort as they prayed over him during his final days.

John will be remembered for his generous heart, quick wit, gift for conversation, love of adventure, and devotion to his family. His laughter, stories, and unmistakable presence will be deeply missed, but the life he lived and the love he gave will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Maryland in the coming weeks.  Please check back for more details or reach out to Lauren or Ryan for more information.  

The Family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Ducks Unlimited Memorial Giving.  John was an active member of the waterfowler community.  Donations go directly toward preserving wetlands across North America, including critical flyways and marshlands on the Maryland Eastern Shore.  

Please sign the guest book with a memory of John and any pictures you may have from your time together.