The enigmatic life of Howard Earl Ott, of Big Run, PA concluded on Monday, March 25, at Riverside Manor. He was just five days shy of 84.
Howard was born on March 30, 1940, in Punxsutawney, the seventh child of the late Donald James and Gertrude Caroline (Zimmerman) Ott. Growing up in the Harmony/Adrian area, he and his eight siblings knew sacrifice and hardship, growing up in post-WWII America in a single-parent environment.

He graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School in 1957, and later enlisted in the USAF, training at Lackland AFB in Texas, then serving as an MP in exotic locations such as Morocco and the Deep South. His duties included defense and security of the B52s and other large aircraft vital to the nuclear capabilities of the U.S. military. Just prior to his honorable discharge in 1962, Howard met Jennieve (Jenny Vee) Gillentine while serving at the Blytheville, Arkansas Air Force Base. They were married on May 25, 1962, and later made their home in Big Run for over 60 years. Howard worked as a meatcutter at the A&P Market, in Punxsutawney before beginning an apprenticeship with IBEW and continuing in that field until his retirement.  

Howard enjoyed college sports and was an avid Penn State football fan attending many seasons worth of home and Bowl games. He also enjoyed and supported high school sports and local youth athletics. Upon retiring, he developed a passion for golf and scored a hole-in-one on July 31, 2008. He continued to play the game into his 80s and until he was no longer physically able to do so.
He was a Freemason and a member of the Coudersport Consistory, also a proud member of the Jaffa Shriners.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife; two infant brothers; his brother, Russel; and sisters Delores, Beverley, Carol, Ruth, Sara, Geraldine and Cheryl.

Surviving Howard are his four children, Leslie Baxter and husband Kenneth of Salem, Utah, Donald Ott and wife Cheryl of Linesville, Daniel Ott of West Jordan, Utah, and Darrin Ott and wife Karen of Coudersport; nine grandchildren, Michelle Baxter-Maynard, Chad Baxter and wife Jen, Megan Jepperson, K.C. Baxter, Christian Baxter, Josiah Ott, Owen Ott, Ameilia Ott and Ethan Ott; and 12 great-grandchildren. 

It was important to Howard to acknowledge and thank his friend Butch Young for friendship, aid and support; nephew Dave Zanaglio and wife Cindy (Hawk), for whom Howard had special affection; niece Tracey (Ott) Gromley and husband Bill, who provided vital care and support as his health declined; and his great-niece, Trisha Zanaglio, who endeared herself to both Howard and Jenny by unselfishly helping and supporting them with aid and companionship for many years. He was grateful and thankful for each of you, as are his children.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2024, and from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Big Run. A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the funeral home, officiated by his grandson, Josiah Ott.
Interment will follow at McClure Cemetery, Big Run.

Howard grew and loved flowers. However, in lieu of flowers, his family requests cheerful giving to the Salvation Army during their holiday campaigns, supporting local youth athletics through donations, raffle ticket purchases and attending games to support young athletes, and likewise supporting local volunteer fire departments and ambulance services.