Joseph Francis Bott, Jr., 79, of Springdale, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at his home on October 24, 2025, after a battle with Parkinson's Disease and Pulmonary Fibrosis. He had made Springdale his home since 1993.
Joe was born on April 1, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the Fairview section of Camden, New Jersey. He was the youngest of five children born to Joseph Francis Bott Sr. and Helen (Sullivan) Bott, growing up with four sisters: Rosemarie Tomasetti, Joanne Cybulski, Teresa Cook, and Connie Stuebing. He was preceded in death by his parents and three of his sisters and is survived by his sister Connie.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Laurie (Reed) Bott, who raised his four sons alongside him. He was the father of Nathan Bott (Claire) of Boise, ID, and Jeremy Bott (Sharon) of Arlington, VA, from his first marriage; Matthew Bott of Bethel Heights, AR, and Andrew Bott (Berenice) of Springdale, AR. Joe was a devoted grandfather to thirteen grandchildren: Siobhan, Emma, Aibhlinn, Fionnuala, Francis, Dominic, and Liam Bott; Samantha, Joseph, and Isaiah Bott; and Ryan, Kaitlyn, and Sheila Bott. He was also proud to welcome one great-grandson, Joseph Nathan Bott. He also maintained a loving relationship with his daughter in-laws, Christine Mahl and Kathryn Bott.
From a young age, Joe demonstrated a strong sense of curiosity and service. He was active in Sea Scouts during his youth and later served his country in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1968 as a Signalman. He also spent a year serving in the United States Coast Guard, experiences that shaped his lifelong appreciation for history, sailing, and maritime tradition.
Professionally, Joe was an innovative and respected thought leader in the field of food science, dedicating nearly 50 years to his career, retiring from Tyson Foods in 2016. His intellectual passions extended well beyond his profession, with deep and abiding interests in history, genealogy, and reading.
A pioneer in online genealogy research, Joe founded and operated DeadFred.com for nearly 25 years. The site became one of the leading genealogy photograph archives in the United States, through which he personally reunited more than 3,000 lost family photographs with their descendants. This work reflected his belief in the importance of memory, identity, and preserving human connection across generations.
A man of determination, Joe set and pursued long-term goals with patience and resolve. In 2016, after many years of training, preparation, and careful planning, he fulfilled a deeply personal ambition by hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain with Laurie. This was one of his proudest achievements.
Joe also valued friendship profoundly. He maintained lifelong bonds with friends he had known for more than 70 years, spending many treasured years "at the shore" with David Welsh, Chris Sereci, Tom Lagocki (deceased), Denny Harman, Joe Martin and his cousin Mike Seybert. These enduring relationships spoke to his loyalty, warmth, and character.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral service, as Joe generously donated his body to science. His legacy lives on through his family, his work, and the countless lives touched by his generosity, intellect, and unwavering curiosity.
Joe was born on April 1, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the Fairview section of Camden, New Jersey. He was the youngest of five children born to Joseph Francis Bott Sr. and Helen (Sullivan) Bott, growing up with four sisters: Rosemarie Tomasetti, Joanne Cybulski, Teresa Cook, and Connie Stuebing. He was preceded in death by his parents and three of his sisters and is survived by his sister Connie.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Laurie (Reed) Bott, who raised his four sons alongside him. He was the father of Nathan Bott (Claire) of Boise, ID, and Jeremy Bott (Sharon) of Arlington, VA, from his first marriage; Matthew Bott of Bethel Heights, AR, and Andrew Bott (Berenice) of Springdale, AR. Joe was a devoted grandfather to thirteen grandchildren: Siobhan, Emma, Aibhlinn, Fionnuala, Francis, Dominic, and Liam Bott; Samantha, Joseph, and Isaiah Bott; and Ryan, Kaitlyn, and Sheila Bott. He was also proud to welcome one great-grandson, Joseph Nathan Bott. He also maintained a loving relationship with his daughter in-laws, Christine Mahl and Kathryn Bott.
From a young age, Joe demonstrated a strong sense of curiosity and service. He was active in Sea Scouts during his youth and later served his country in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1968 as a Signalman. He also spent a year serving in the United States Coast Guard, experiences that shaped his lifelong appreciation for history, sailing, and maritime tradition.
Professionally, Joe was an innovative and respected thought leader in the field of food science, dedicating nearly 50 years to his career, retiring from Tyson Foods in 2016. His intellectual passions extended well beyond his profession, with deep and abiding interests in history, genealogy, and reading.
A pioneer in online genealogy research, Joe founded and operated DeadFred.com for nearly 25 years. The site became one of the leading genealogy photograph archives in the United States, through which he personally reunited more than 3,000 lost family photographs with their descendants. This work reflected his belief in the importance of memory, identity, and preserving human connection across generations.
A man of determination, Joe set and pursued long-term goals with patience and resolve. In 2016, after many years of training, preparation, and careful planning, he fulfilled a deeply personal ambition by hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain with Laurie. This was one of his proudest achievements.
Joe also valued friendship profoundly. He maintained lifelong bonds with friends he had known for more than 70 years, spending many treasured years "at the shore" with David Welsh, Chris Sereci, Tom Lagocki (deceased), Denny Harman, Joe Martin and his cousin Mike Seybert. These enduring relationships spoke to his loyalty, warmth, and character.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral service, as Joe generously donated his body to science. His legacy lives on through his family, his work, and the countless lives touched by his generosity, intellect, and unwavering curiosity.
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