James Ott

JAMES OTT

Cedar Rapids

James Ott, 92, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Oskaloosa, passed away Monday afternoon, Sept. 22, 2014.

James Corwin Ott, son of Clifford and Elizabeth (Howells) Ott, was born Nov. 10, 1921, in Oskaloosa,

Iowa. He was a 1939 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. He married Geraldine Elizabeth (Forbes) in May 1954. She died Sept. 13, 2007.

Jim gave 33 years of his life for our freedom in both World War II and Vietnam. He was in the National Guard and was in one of the last Horse Cavalry Units out of Iowa. Jim joined the Army in 1942 and he was an instructor in the 513th Parachute Infantry and platoon leader of the 504th Parachute Infantry in the European Theater of Operations. He also was platoon commander and later company commander, 1st Special Service Force in Italy and Southern France. Jim was executive officer for G Company, 474th Infantry Regiment in France, Germany and Norway. He was very well decorated and some of the awards include the Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star Medal, World War II Victory Medal, two Purple Hearts, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Valorous Unit Citation, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Meritorious Unit Medal and Civil Actions Honor Medal, among others.

His last assignment was recruiting; he retired in 1974 from the Army. He later went to work for the Linn County Friend of the Court as a deputy sherriff, and worked there for over 10 years.

Jim was a member of the VFW, Elks, American Legion and also belonged to the 1st Special Service Force Association.

He enjoyed playing bridge, fishing, mowing lawns, visiting with friends and neighbors, camping and taking long rides in the car, finding a beautiful place and pulling over to have a picnic with his family. He also enjoyed many winters in Destin, Fla.

The family would like to thank those who cared for him at ManorCare in Cedar Rapids and Hospice Compassus. Special thanks to Carmen and Vicki who helped care for him for the past seven years. They have become a part of our family and we will always be grateful.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all he met. He will be missed.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Kathy (Dave) Mark of Darien, Ill., Janet (Doug) Heslinga of Marion, Tamara (Jeff) Kriegel of Center Point and Maggie (Scott) Larson of Marion; 11 grandchildren, Linda (Kevin) Sievert, James Heslinga (Angie Shifflett), Tamara (Dave) Grass, Dusty (Luke) Gentzler, Michael (Loralee) O'Malley, Treesa Hennessey (Cody Silver), James Mark, Nic O'Malley (Kelly Green), Scott Heslinga, Tony (Marcy) Hennessey and Alycia Larson (Brad Ludden); 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Dena Ott of Oskaloosa.

In addition to his parents and wife, Jim was preceded in death by two brothers, Irvin and Jerry; and two sisters, Mary Rose Davenport and Margaret Mains.

Graveside memorial services for both James and Geraldine will be 11 a.m. Monday at Forest Cemetery. (The cemetery's North Ninth Street entrance should be used by those attending the service.) Military honors will be provided by the Iowa National Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memories and condolences may be sent by visiting www.gvlfuneralchapel.com.