It is hard to believe it has been a year, but then it is even harder to believe that my old best friend is gone.  I think of Paul often - JimReichwein.

I knew Paul from Eastern Arizona College '69-'70.  I have the best memories ever from time spent on the ranch (a true adventure for a city boy).  Paul, David and I  took our motorcycles to places that horses would fear to go.  On the highway David, on his Haley Sprint, would draft behind Paul's Honda.  I was on my Yamaha totally entertained by their team work.

Seeing  the family photos was a blessing to me after all these years.  I'm 74 now and in our advanced years Paul and I could have been each others stunt double.   You don't meet many people who make a positive impact on your life, but Paul Bott was sure one of them.

Steve Mills
Raymore, MO

Brian Bierer
Friend and Colleague

Paul and I met on my first day, in 1982, at APS.  I was issued Paul's truck #11376 to work in the field.
When Paul retired, we crossed paths again and became close friends. I went on a few paid holidays with him (hashing out a problem) on his many projects. We did the Grand Canyon water system and many more.
I will miss my friend PHB, I never knew his middle name.
 
My thoughts and prayers are with Mary Jo and the family.

I am saddened to learn of Paul's passing. 
I worked for him for many years. He was the best leader anyone could wish for, always ready to give good advice and guidance that helped me tremendously during my years at APS. 

He was also a friend and I enjoyed his company at the occasional meetings with coworkers outside of work. I will miss Paul very much.

Mary Jo, my deepest sympathies to you and your family.


I am very sorry to hear about Paul's passing.  My deepest condolences to Mary Jo, Krissy, Laura, and the rest of the family.

Paul was my first boss at APS.  He had outstanding leadership and technical skills which is a rare combination in engineering related positions.  His guidance greatly helped me improve my job skills and interpersonal relationships.

I enjoyed visits to the ranch and helped with the licensing of the ranch radio repeater.  I also remembered doing a ham radio field day with Paul in the Bottmobile on Mingus Mountain where we experienced the tremors from the Big Bear earthquake from California.

I last had the chance to meet Paul for lunch a few years ago when I was in the Phoenix area.  He was always upbeat and fun to be around.

Paul was a friend and I will greatly miss him.

Very sincerely,

Mike Bass
Green Valley, AZ

I met Paul and Mary Jo in 1973. We lived in Sun Burst Farms and Paul was helping the church with a live nativity scene.  My wife and I had a white pony and Paul asked it he could put him in the scene. Paul and I spent the next 30 years doing the things we loved often with the people we loved. Paul's family quickly became my family, Mary Jo, Laura Bott,  David and Kelly. We spent many weekends at the ranch and as a horseman I enjoyed every trip and working with neighbor Eddy Lackner. Paul got me involved in Black powder shooting and Rendezvous. The picture I am sending is from one of our first Rendezvous and includes another old friend Bob. I am the one with the long white hair, but that is another story. Often the Rendezvous included Paul's Mom and brothers. Paul and I also shared the model railroad hobby, starting our first attempt at a layout in his garage but then the moving it several times as they moved to new houses. I had some health issues one year and Paul thought to give me something to do, I could study to become a HAM radio operator. I did study with his help and Paul was very proud when I aced the exam. I moved from Phoenix 10 years ago , I talked to Paul on the phone from time to time. I miss Paul and Mary Jo, Paul was much more than a good friend, he was the brother I never had.  God bless you Paul Bott and may we work cattle together again in God's ranch in the sky. 

From Pat one Pauls APS  fellows:
It’s hard for me to summarize my thoughts and memories of Paul because they’re more than my brain can process.  He taught me too much to remember related to technology, showed me how to actually interact in a company setting when I was a rough young man out of the Navy, amazed me with soft skills related to writing, which I picked up on early and he approved of.  I suppose the biggest thing about Paul was that anyone and I mean ANYONE could approach him with a question or to offer up an idea, he’d always listen.  His upbringing on a ranch in the southeast part of Arizona, he viewed everyone as a potential answer to a problem, he carried that from the ranch to APS, transforming those early lessons into becoming a solid leader.  A good man with a huge heart, we are a lesser place because of his absence. 😔

Paul loved trains! When he and MaryJo  became empty nesters, he had a whole bedroom dedicated to his trains.

Paul walked me down the aisle for my wedding.  He was the brother I never had,  till he married my sister.  He helped move me I don't know how many times,  but he kept track,  haha. Probably at least 8 times! He was always willing to help and with a great attitude.  I knew I could always count on him.  Thank you  Paul for the man you were and for always accepting me as your sister.  I will miss you so much! Love,  Kathy 💜 

Paul taught me about anything and everything! His understanding of how things work made every day life interesting and fun. Not many people in this life can repair or rebuild whatever he sets his mind to. Be it radio, car, tractor or refrigerator! You are a legacy Paul. See you at the great ranch in heaven, where all your treasures await! Your brother. Marty🙂

Met Paul at APS when got back from military service in 1971.  Became my friend & collaborator & colleague & mentor & consultant for things I couldn’t figure out on my own.  Paul:  HAM radio guy, brilliant engineer, P.E. credentials, and friend for over 50 + years.  From regular tractors, APU / put-puts, caterpillars, welding, fabrication, radios, teacher as well as animal lover always enjoyed sharing stories, current events, situations, and stories.  I miss him already.  I really do.  Mary Jo; Kim & I are here for you 24 x 7; just call. Sending Hugs & Love.

I have so many happy memories growing up with Uncle Paul. He was always tinkering and had the most full garage/work room that I've ever seen! He loved to try to teach us about his gadgets and he also how to be rough and tough from camping to dirt bikes (I was never good at the dirt bikes haha). I'm grateful for all he taught me and for allowing me make their home my second home growing up. You'll be missed, Uncle Paul, and I'm so sorry for your loss, Mary Jo and Krissy <3 

I was a friend of Paul's. He was a very giving person, and a wealth of knowledge in many ways.  Always there to help me out, no matter what the project would be.  I will miss him. 


Taken in 2017 when Uncle Paul came to Cedar to visit. A great picture of two brothers. 
~Melissa (Bott) Cox~

Paul hired me at APS. I worked for him, we managed together, we planned together, and we laughed together. He was a friend both at work and after. There is a picture posted of us in Aravaipa Canyon, not far from where he grew up, camping and making smoke as he used to say with our muzzle loaders. We always had a great time.

I will miss Paul very much - he was a good man - trustworthy, kind, hard working and fun.  He was taken too soon.  My prayers and thoughts to Mary Jo, Krissy and the rest of the family.

I am sad that my professional mentor has passed. Paul was more than just a mentor at my time with APS (1984-2016), he was a good freind, always willing to pass out tid bits of advice. One that I remember quite well is, "even a blind chicken finds corn". Paul was my supervisor in Communications Engineering and he mentored me to go from Engineer 1 (wipper snapper) to Sr. Engineer in 6 years. 

Paul, you will be missed.
Mary Jo, I am very sorry for your loss.

I meet Paul when I first started working for APS back in 1981.  I liked the man and over the years he turned into great leader and manager.  Paul was easy to talk to if you had a porblem he was a go to engineer.  I am very sorry to hear he passed.

I'm so sorry to hear of Paul's passing.  He was a great person and will be missed terribly!!  I met Paul at a job fair while I was still in college.  He was the first person I met at APS.  It turned out I was hired by APS and got to work for Paul.  Like I said, he was a great person and a great mentor.  He had so much knowledge that I tried to soak up as much as I could.  I am so fortunate to have met Paul!!  One of my favorite memories of Paul is when he dressed up as Santa Claus at one of our holiday parties.  He happened to go to our coal fired power plant, Cholla Power Plant, before the Christmas party and picked up some coal pieces.  He handed each of the (7) top managers a piece of coal for their Christmas present.  That was sooo funny!!  Most of the managers took it in stride, but one had a sour look on his face.  I crack up laughing thinking back to that.  Those were the good, old days!!

OBITUARY

Paul Harold Bott

February 28, 1950 – December 9, 2022

Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary

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