John Ott

John Ott, 94, Richmond, died Monday, Feb. 25, 2008, at Ransom Memorial Hospital, Ottawa. He was born March 12, 1913, at New York City, N.Y., to Albert Joseph and Johanna (Sheriff) Ott. John grew up in Council Grove, Kansas with his foster parents, Della J. and William E. Nix, and lived in Matfield Green, Kansas for about five years; Illinois, Nebraska, Wichita, and the Ottawa area since about 1957. He lived at the Osage County Lake for seventeen years while they owned the marina there. In late 2004, he moved to Lee`s Summit, Missouri, and in 2005 to Kingsville, Texas. He was presently living in Richmond, Kansas. He graduated from Council Grove High School with the class of 1932 and attended the College of Emporia for three years. During World War II, John was an inspector for the Procurement Department, inspecting completed airplanes and aircraft parts; and later operated the truck stop at Beto Junction, which was owned by Beto, Inc. for thirty years, retiring in 1980. John was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Sunshine Sunday School in Ottawa. He was a fifty-seven year member of Masonic Blue Lodge, Past 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, Lawrence, Kansas, life member of Chanter Unit Abdalla Shrine; Past President of Ottawa Shrine; Kansas York Rite Bodies, Chapter #7; Council #18 and Commandry #11, Order of Silver Trowel, Order High Priesthood; Past Commander of Knight Templar of Kansas; Grand Representative of Tennessee in Kansas for both Grand Council and Grand Chapter; Past Patron Order of Eastern Star in Falls Chapter #25, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas and Union Chapter #19, Ottawa, Kansas; Past Supreme Advisor of the Order of True Kindred International, Past Puissant Sovereign Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine St. Justine Conclave; three-time Advisor of Retta Conclave #8, Ottawa, Kansas; Grand Sentinel Grand Council 2000-2001; and Past Watchman Order of White Shrine. On December 24, 1939, John was united in marriage with Marjorie Eastman in Matfield Green, Kansas. She preceded him in death on August 10, 2005. Survivors include sons, William Daniel Ott, and his wife, Barbara, Kingville, Texas, John E. Ott, and his wife, Carmella, Allentown, Pa., Michael A. Ott, Ottawa, and David E. Ott, and his wife, Dianne, Houston, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and one stepgreat-grandchild. SERVICES: Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 29, 2008, at Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa, followed by visitation. IN STATE: Cremation is planned. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.