James C. Ott

James Ott, 92, of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Oskaloosa passed away Monday afternoon, September 22, 2014. James Corwin Ott, son of Clifford and Elizabeth (Howells) Ott, was born, November 10, 1921, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a 1940 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. He married Geraldine Elizabeth (Forbes) in May 1954. She died September 13th, 2007. Jim gave 33 years of his life for our freedom in both WWII and Vietnam. He was in the National Guard and was in one of the last Horse Calvary Units out of Iowa. Jim joined the Army in 1942 and he was an instructor in 513th Parachute Infantry, Platoon Leader of the 504th Parachute Infantry in the European Theatre of operations. He was also the 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, The Bronze Star Medal, WWII Victory Medal, 2 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 and 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; he 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, FL. The family would like to thank those that cared for him at Manor Care in Cedar Rapids and Hospice Compassus. Special thanks to Carmen and Vicki who helped care for him for the past 7 years. They have become a part of our family and we will always be grateful. He was a loving husband; father, grandfather and 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, IL, Janet (Doug) Heslinga of Marion, IA, Tamara (Jeff) Kriegel of Center Point, IA, and Maggie (Scott) Larson of Marion, IA; 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, Alycia Larson (Brad Ludden); 13 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Dena Ott of Oskaloosa. In addition to his parents and his wife; Jim was preceded in death by two brothers: Irvin and Jerry and two sisters: Mary Rose Davenport and Margaret Mains. PDF Printable Version

James C. Ott

November 10, 1921 - September 22, 2014