David Lawrence Ott

David Lawrence "Dave" Ott died Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at his Lakeside, Arizona home following a lengthy illness. Dave was 54. Dave was born on November 3, 1956 in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania to the late William and Mary (Morris) Ott. As a young boy, at the age of 11, he and his family moved to Arizona. He quickly began to appreciate the diverse beauty of the state and developed a lifelong love for fishing. He would go fishing whenever he was able at just about any lake or stream available. He provided many a meal for his family from that labor of love. Being in the high country, Dave always found a special peace that came from within. He loved his cabins and enjoyed living by the lake where he loved to fish so much. Even during the deep of winter, Dave loved being in the snow. He truly was a great outdoorsman. In his younger years, before he became disabled, he worked many years as a respiratory therapist. He was proud to tell people that he worked for Air Evac and he was known to be a very responsible and dependable employee. Dave truly had a giving spirit. He was always the first there to lend a willing hand to others in need. He will always be remembered for his selfless acts of kindness. As a young man, Dave was an amazing musician. He worked for several summers as a lifeguard and loved to play baseball and was quite good at it. Dave was also blessed with a fabulous skill of working with his hands. He was an expert mechanic and even built his own race car. His skills even overflowed into the kitchen and his family and friends knew him to be a fantastic cook. True to his generation, Dave's favorite rock band was "The Who." He loved their music and new just about all the lyrics to their songs. Dave also had a soft side to him. This side was displayed mostly within the walls of his own home. He was a wonderful father and provider to his family. He also had a special place in his heart for his cat, Sphinx and his dog, Briana. They surely will miss their daily "pats and snacks." This man, who touched so many lives will be missed by many, but none will miss him more than his own family. Dave Ott is survived by: his 2 children: Tracy C. Ott of Tempe, Arizona, Anthony W. Ott of Tempe, Arizona; a brother, William Ott of Oregon; a sister, Paula Ott of Colorado and by his former wife, Kerry J. Ott of Scottsdale, Arizona.