of Lakeview, AR
September 5, 1934 - March 5, 2021
LTC L. Don Ott (US Army, RET) of Lakeview, Arkansas died Saturday March 5, 2021 at his home.
He was born on 5 September 1934 in Rea Valley, Arkansas to Alsey Clara Wagoner Ott and Howard Dennis Ott. He was a graduate of Flippin High School, class of 1953. He graduated from Arkansas Tech with a Bachelor's Degree in Geology. He also earned Master's Degrees in Electrical Engineering, School Administration, and Management.
He was commissioned in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps in 1956. He had a 22 year career spanning the era just after the Korean war until 1978. He was first stationed in Ft. Monmoth, NJ, Korea, Ft. Gordon, GA, combat in Vietnam where he served with the 9th Infantry Division. He was then assigned to Pisa, Italy where he was tasked with establishing the first direct line of communications between Washington, DC and Vietnam by standing up two satellite relay stations; one just outside of Pisa, Italy and one in Asmera, Ethiopia. He was then assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC at the Pentagon where he was the Presidential Daily Briefer for President Johnson and President Nixon and was part of the Emergency Action Message Team responsible for releasing Nuclear Launch Codes to the Major Commands worldwide. He was then assigned to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium as the Executive Officer for three 3 Star Officers. He then requested to be stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO as the Signal Battalion Commander from which he retired. His awards include the Bronze Star with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and the Vietnam Civilian Actions Unit Citation. He loved his time in the US Army and often still referred to himself in the third person as ''The Colonel'' many years after retirement.
In between being stationed in Korea and Ft. Gordon, L. Don came home and married the love of his life, Myra Madelyn ''Snooks'' Rose on 24 February 1962 at the Flippin Christian Church. They were married 28 years until her untimely death in 1990.
He requested to be stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO after learning his sister LaVonne Ott Chalfant had terminal cancer so he and Madelyn could be closer to his parents, his sister and his nephews, Marcus C. Chalfant and C. Victor Chalfant. When LaVonne died on 13 September 1976 he was the one who told the boys their Mother had died and that he would take them in and treat them like his own. He became known to them as ''Popasan'' and he and Madelyn ''Momasan'' did just that.
He ''retired'' in January 1978 and moved to Lakeview, Arkansas where he began a new life with his wife and two boys. He started in the Real Estate Business with Jim French in 1978. He became a million dollar producer his second year in the business. In 1985 he became involved with establishing the Vo-Tech School in Mountain Home. Then he pursued another career with the State of Arkansas where he was Regional Director for Arkansas Economic Development Commission for 15 counties in the North and North West part of the state. He also helped with the placement of Exchange Students coming from foreign countries to study in Arkansas High Schools. That is where his path became intertwined with Lasha Dalakishvili in 1994. ''Popasan'' took in Lasha and eventually adopted him as well. Wiwat ''View'' Leebhaisomboon joined the family in 2002 after arriving as an exchange student. He was very proud of all of his boys.
He and Madelyn were members of the Bull Shoals Presbyterian Church. He was a loyal member and Past President of the Bull Shoals Rotary Club. He also served on the Mountain Home School Board. He was on the Hospital Board of Baxter County Regional Medical Center and the Hospice Board. And he was a Life Member of the Bull Shoals VFW Post 1341. He donated to charities worldwide.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 28 years Myra Madelyn Rose Ott. He is survived by his four boys: Marcus C. Chalfant (Cherie) of Charleston, SC, C. Victor Chalfant (Nicole) of Fayetteville, AR, Lasha M. Dalakishvili (Laura), of Saint Joseph, MO, and Wiwat Leebhaisomboon of Dallas, TX and Bangkok, Thailand, and 5 grandchildren: 1LT Matthew Chalfant of Killeen, TX, Marco, Leona, Madelyn and Rocky Dalakishvili of Saint Joseph, MO.
He was admired, respected, loved and will be missed by us all.
Visitation to be at Roller-Burns Funeral Home, 725 N. Panther Ave. Yellville, AR on Friday 12 March 2021 from 5pm till 7pm.
Funeral at Roller-Burns on Saturday 13 March 2021 at 10am.
Military Honors at the gravesite at Flippin Cemetery following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, please make generous donations to Hospice of the Ozarks, 744 Long Street, Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653 or the Twin Lakes Community Foundation P.O. Box 473, Mountain Home, AR 72654.
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17 Condolence(s)
C Pangle
Friday, May 14, 2021
I have never met Don or even spoke with him but I followed his genealogy work online. He was a very detailed recorder and great researcher. I am sure his work has helped many a family researcher as it did me. So sorry for your loss.
Paul and Heather Smirnoff
Sunday, April 18, 2021
We miss seeing you on your daily stroll.
We wished we could have chatted with you more.
May you find joy in your reunion with your wife and family.
Becky Rheinhardt
Thursday, March 11, 2021
I also had the privilege of working with Don for a time. He was a pistol at times, but always, always was an honorable man who loved God and his country. Rest In Peace Don.
David laron McDaniel
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
I met Don a couple of times while my wife worked with him at AEDC. He was a heck of a guy. made a big impression on me with his humor. I was always a political bluff and always admired him for where he had been and what he had done for the country . he loved so much. He would call my wife often in the evenings, to check in . My wife loved his friendship and will miss his calls greatly. RIP MR. .Ott. YOU MADE A DIFFERANCE IN SO MANY LIVES. Thank you sir for being a big part of my wives circle of friends. I know she will miss your chats. I salute you ,my friend.
Nita McDaniel
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Don was a great friend and former co-worker to me. I learned so much from him and treasured the stories he shared from his extraordinary life. He was so proud of his boys and spoke of them often. I will greatly miss our phone visits. He seemed to believe in me much more than I believe in myself. And for that, I will be eternally grateful. My prayers go out to all of his family. May God bless and keep each and every one of you.
Kelly Ott
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
The finest man I've ever known..Stubborn with a heart of gold..treated me like a son of his own..as the snow falls..the storys he has told oh if only yakl could know! Love you dearly my dear cousin..! wonder if the broken wine glass was ever replaced? Swear I chipped a tooth!..you will be clearly missed by many great folks..till we meet again..Rest n Peace
Larry Brandt
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Don was a great man and will be missed by many. We enjoyed sharing with each other our common paths as Tech alumni, Army officer military careers, and Rotarians especially Assistant District Governor experiences. May God comfort the family during this time of sorrow.
Pat Curtis
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
My Dear Cheri and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Don Ott. Please know that I am praying for you and the family at this time. May God bestow his tender mercies upon you. My deepest sympathies are with you and all loved ones.
Patricia J. Curtis (Anglers)
Ed Majors
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Don was truly a great friend. We worked together in economic development for many years. He was very intelligent and extremely informed. We talked weekly about past and current events. I will miss Don’s calls and his friendship. RIP
Steve Sparks
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
I have known and worked with Don over the past 21 years. There is not a finer man to be found. His dedication and commitment to God, Family, Country and Community was beyond reproach. If something needed to be done, Don would get it done. He was a fine upstanding gentleman with a long history of excellent service to all. His experience and perspective gave him great insight to a wide array of things. He was a wealth of knowledge and experience. He will be greatly missed. He was a friend that could be counted on. Rest in Peace Don!
Gloria Skeeters
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
So sorry for the loss of this fine person.
Betty Smith Carter
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Rest in peace my friend.
Joan Black
Monday, March 8, 2021
So very sorry to hear of his passing. He will be missed by many
Judith R. Bearden
Monday, March 8, 2021
Please accept our deepest sympathy. We regret that we will be unable to extend our condolences in person.
Judith and Larry
Jerry L Karr
Monday, March 8, 2021
I worked with Don for over 20 years. We worked together in Arkansas State Departments: Vocational Technical Education, Workforce Training and Ark Economic Development Commission. Don always took his work seriously and was always fully involved. Don will always be a positive memory. My heartfelt condolences to all of his family. He was very proud of his sons.
Rita (Ott) Strain
Monday, March 8, 2021
Our dads were brothers so we are family. We only began conversing on a regular basis in the last few years. We argued politics on a regular basis, and we stayed in touch regarding family matters. You were highly respected by all who knew you, and you will be missed. My heart hurts for your boys and their families.
Vicki Roberts
Monday, March 8, 2021
Lost a dear friend. I worked with Don in 1990 to start the Marion county Herigate Society here in Marion county. He served as president of the orginazion for a number of years.
He devoted a lot of hours of his time researching the families of Marion county. I know his computer is full of information on each family. I enjoyed knowing Don and working with him. He will be missed by many in this area.