Fred Gerald "Freddie" Ott, 69, of Montgomery, Alabama died February 21, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Ida Ott, his brother, William Dewey Ott (Junior), and his sisters, Lee Rae Brown and Jean Clanton.
Fred was born and raised in Montgomery and attended Sidney Lanier high school. He married his wife, Jane on December 1, 1966. Fred will be remembered by those who had the great privilege of knowing him as a dedicated family man who loved to play pranks on those he cared about.
Less than a month after marrying Jane, he arrived in Vietnam on Christmas day to continue fulfilling his patriotic duty with the U.S. Army. His military career had begun two years earlier as a volunteer for the country he loved.
In February 1967, Fred was injured in combat while serving with the 199th Infantry Brigade. After an Honorable Discharge on January 12, 1968, Fred returned to Alabama. He was the proud recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Purple Heart. Until his death, Fred remained a loyal Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) member in the local area.
Fred returned to Montgomery and began his employment with the United States Postal Service, eventually retiring in 2001 as an Equal Employment Opportunity Investigator. Through his career with the Postal Service, Fred made many close friends with whom he maintained contact after retirement.
Fred is survived by his wife, Jane Denham Ott; son, Fred Gerald Ott Jr; daughter, Christy Ott Waid-Bruner; brothers, Pete and Frank Ott; sister, Lavelle Lindsey; grandchildren, Lakyn Waid Gaddy, Lauren Ashley Waid, Landon Taylor Waid, Makinley Jordan Ott and Gary Lee Waid III, along with many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Visitation will be at Leak Memory Chapel, 945 Lincoln Road, on Thursday, February 24, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Burial service with U.S. Army military honors will be at 12 noon on February 25th at Leak Memory with Pastor Peggie Sue Ott officiating.
In lieu of flowers gifts may be made to his home church:
Kendrick Baptist Church
C/O Mrs. Peggie Sue Ott
5296 AL Hwy 9
Equality AL 36026
Published in the Montgomery Advertiser on Feb. 24, 2016.