Jonathan Edwards Ott Sr.

September 25, 1982 - May 7, 2023

Jonathan Edwards Ott Sr., beloved husband, brother, father and friend of many, passed from this earth on May 7, 2023. Jon once sold ice to an eskimo. He won the hearts of everyone he knew with his goofy grin and magnetic personality. Jon's deep emotion was matched only by his quick wit and endless devotion to his wife and children. He loved to work with his hands and build beautiful things. He labored tirelessly for his family, building rabbit habitats, fences, and garden beds; and still made time to help any neighbor he noticed working outside. His spirit of friendship, service, and humility was infectious. He was earnest and genuine. Jon was every child's favorite. Maybe because he was so much like a child. Jon had a way of seeing people, looking them in the eyes, and loving them exactly as they were. He loved people as Jesus did. He knew his own flaws and he had the humility to see through the flaws of others - to find the beauty in humanity and embrace it. Jon was a light to everyone who knew him. Unless, of course, they were driving slow in the fast lane.

Born to John Henry (Jack) and Deborah Ott on September 25, 1982, in the coastal mountains of Oregon, he spent his childhood wild in the woods climbing high into a fir tree and asking his little brothers to cut it down so he could ride it to the ground, the fall softened by the boughs as they bent under the weight of its massive trunk. Jon grew up in the White House of Neverstill Road which was built in the 1800s as a guesthouse for loggers who were traveling through the Nehalem Valley. The spirit of that home and the land that stood guard for it remained with Jon for the rest of his life and inspired him to value work, to seek community, and to cherish the outdoors.

Jon bucked hay and built fences when he was only eight, stabbed goats in the gut to relieve their bloated bellies at ten, gathered shopping carts in Michigan blizzards and walked five miles home in the snow when he was in high school, and played quarterback at Michigan State and wide receiver at ACU where he received a degree in accounting. He fueled crop-dusters in West Texas, coached a Texas football team to a state championship, and used an exacto knife to snoop every Christmas present for his entire childhood. In 2012 Jon married the love of his life, Leslie Anne Wiggins. They made their home in Houston and together have three children whose eyes reflect the love of their father, about a dozen rabbits, and an eternal love.

Jon is united in death with his grandparents Raymond, Dorothy, Frances, and Walter, and his parents Jack and Deborah, He is survived by his wife Leslie, his daughters Elizabeth Faith and Heidi Hope, his son Jonathan Edwards Jr., his sister Lucia, his brothers Nate, Mark, and Hans and their wives. He is also survived by three nephews who will miss his coaching sessions and three nieces who will miss singing karaoke with their uncle. He is also survived by countless friends.

When we lost Jon, we lost a legend.

A Memorial Service will take place at Grace Life Church, 13515 Huffmeister Road, Cypress, TX 77427 on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11:00 am.

"For us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Jon's family is collecting memories and reflections from Jon's life and will be creating a book for Elizabeth, Heidi and Jonathan. Please send your reflections to: jonathanottmemorial@gmail.com