Thomas Truett Ott

Thomas Truett Ott Thomas Truett Ott, 84, died Saturday, May 14, 2005, at Southwest Regional Hospital in McComb, Miss. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. CDT Tuesday at the Osyka Baptist Church in Osyka, Miss., and will be preceded by burial at Osyka Cemetery. Hartman Funeral Home in McComb (601- 684-3811) is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Osyka Baptist Church, P.O. Box 172, Osyka, MS, or to a favorite charity. He died 10 miles from his beloved birthplace and home in Osyka. He was born Oct. 25, 1920, and was the son of the late W.J. "Babe" and Margaret Alexandria "Maggie" Ott. He grew up and graduated from high school in Osyka and attended Hinds Junior College, where he played on the football and tennis teams. He continued his education at the University of Florida, where his undergraduate work was interrupted by World War II. Upon returning, he entered the University of Florida Law School and graduated with honors. He lived in Tampa for 40 years, where he practiced law, served in the Florida Senate and retired from the Second District Court of Appeal where he served as chief judge. After his retirement, he returned to his boyhood home and enjoyed small-town life and his extended family, and cultivated pine trees and a large garden. His faith in Jesus Christ was the focus of his life. He taught Sunday school for 55 years, serving on the board of deacons of the First Baptist Church in Tampa and of the Osyka Baptist Church. He served on the general council of the Baptist World Alliance, representing the Southern Baptist Convention for 10 years. He was grateful for the opportunities to serve his country and community. He served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Corps in World War II and the Korean War, being honorably discharged as a lieutenant colonel. He held leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America, YMCA, United Way, Metropolitan Ministries, the Billy Graham Crusade, the Boys Club and the Pike County Association. He married Anita Williams of Tallahassee, to whom he was devoted for 63 years. He was active in raising his four children, Sandra Ott Gardner of Tampa, Thomas William Ott of Jackson, Miss., Gary Truett Ott of Atlanta, Ga., and Hugh Justin Ott of Tampa. He loved as his own their spouses, J. Stephen Gardner, Georgia Ott and Nancy Haentzler Ott; all of his grandchildren, J. Stephen Gardner II (and wife Marley), Thomas Truett Gardner, Peter Justin Gardner (and wife Ashlie), Thomas Iverson Ott, Sarah Ann Ott, Seth Truett Ott, Maggie Ott Jobson (and husband Jeremy), H. Justin Ott Jr., Lela Ott McCall (and husband Artie), Charlotte McKinley Ott, Charles Truett Ott and William Jones Ott III; and a great-grandchild, Emory Elizabeth Gardner. Also close to his heart were his sister, Ruby Mae Stubbs; his nieces and nephews, Susan and Joe Stubbs, Carol Ott Layton, Mary Frances Dwyer and Bud, Kim and Gil Williams; and honorary family members Gladys Taylor, Jessie James Bryant, Leonard James and Betty Taylor.