Trent H. Wells, Jr., age 93, formerly of Los Angeles and Coulterville, CA, died on Monday, August 4, 2008 at the Harbor House Assisted Living Center in Baraboo, WI. He was born on December 24, 1914, in Los Angeles, the son of Trent, Sr., and Agnes (Miller) Wells. On February 22, 1942, he married Mary Robinson at Mather Army Air Base in Sacramento County, CA. He served as a decorated Captain in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, a proud member of the 364th Fighter Group. His meritorious service included flying 55 combat missions en route to earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters. He ascended to become a Commanding Officer of the 146th Fighter Group squadron before retiring from active duty as a Major in the U.S. Air Force in 1953. After his military service, Trent founded Mechanical Developments Co. An engineer by trade, he designed and manufactured medical instruments including a neurosurgical device that became the most widely used instrument of its kind in the world. He was among a select group of laymen bestowed with an honorary Medical Degree from the University of Utah. Later known as Trent H. Wells, Inc., his business also collaborated with NASA to construct a device to help study motion sickness in space. His successful business ventures provided Trent with the means to support worthy causes through his many philanthropic contributions, including charitable gifts to universities and secondary schools, among others. His many accomplishments also provided Trent and Mary the opportunity to travel the world. He was a 50-year member of the Mariposa Lodge of Freemasons and a lifetime member of Post #9454 of the California VFW. He was also an avid downhill skier, continuing to enjoy the sport into his 90's. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary of Baraboo; two children, Robert Wells of Merrimac and Patricia (F. Kristian) Storm of Madison, WI; three grandchildren, Sandra Storm of Inver Grove Heights, MN; Lori (Kevin) Noth of Bloomington, MN; and Darlene (Leif) Lillehaugen of Los Angeles, CA; a great-grandson, Cameron Noth. Trent will be interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, CA. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Masonic Homes of California, 1111 California St., San Francisco, CA 94108. Condolences may also be expressed to the family by visiting Trent's obituary at www.hooversonfuneralhomes.com.