Joseph Earnest Mott passed from this world on October 27, 2022, in Berryville, AR, following a long illness. He was 85 years old. Joe was born October 31, 1936 in Kincaid, Kansas, the son of Irene Eisenman and Nelson Mott.
Joe spent his early years with his family in Edgerton. Joseph graduated from Edgerton High School and shortly thereafter, joined the Coast Guard, rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. Joe married Natalie Netala on August 17, 1957 at Assumption of Mary Church in Edgerton, KS.
Joe and Natalie lived in Hawaii, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Washington and Ohio during 20-years of active Coast Guard duty. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, two Vietnam War active service ribbons, an Arctic service ribbon, and the Coast Guard good conduct medal with three bronze stars. After Joe and Natalie retired from the military and moved to Southwest Missouri, Joe attended Missouri State University in Springfield, MO and received a degree in accounting where he was a 4.0 student. Following several years working in Willard and Salem, MO, Joe and Natalie moved to Taos, MO, where Joe worked as an accountant for the Abandoned Mine Lands Division, MO Department of Natural Resources, Jefferson City. Upon retiring from that job, Joe and Natalie enjoyed trips across the U.S. and loved jaunts to Maine and the West, especially Utah. They enjoyed a Texas tour of Catholic churches and these and other excursions were the topics of many conversations.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Natalie, and by his much-missed daughter, Dana. Survivors include sons, James Mott and his wife, Barbara, of Harrison, AR, David Mott and his wife, Janie Lindquist, of Marble Falls, AR, daughter, Christine Mott, and Ken Reynolds, Joe’s son-in-law, of Nixa, MO. Joe’s surviving grandchildren include Larry Mott, Paul Mott, Julie Mott and her partner, Jarad Arrick, from Omaha, NE, Steven Greer and his partner, Chay Carson Head, of Springfield, MO, David Greer and his wife, Christina, from Battlefield, MO, Michael Greer, from Lees Summit, MO, and Kiah Mott-Wright and her husband, Evan Wright, from Springfield, MO. Joseph’s great-grandchildren are Dallas Greer and Luka Greer, Kenzie and Adalyn Greer, and Jordan and Jenna Arrick. Joe is also survived by other treasured family members.
Joe was an avid golfer for many years, an active member of the Catholic Church, and he loved camping, hiking, canoeing, and other outdoor activities. Along with providing general financial advice, Joe prepared taxes for his relatives most every year, and he loved rummy and sudoku. Joe’s favorite activity was spending time with his family and in nature. He will be missed by us all.
