John E. Ott, 97, of Charles Town, WV, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with his family and a close friend by his side.

He was born on July 6, 1928, in Charles Town, WV, son of the late Blanche Fritts Ott and Elmer Addison Ott.

John graduated from Harpers Ferry High School in 1947; after graduating in 1948 he joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Alaska during the Korean War, then later in Tennessee with an honorable discharge as Staff Sargeant.

John was employed at Dixie Narco, and Fairchild, and several years at E.I. Dupont in Falling Waters, WV. He was elected as County Clerk at the Jefferson County Courthouse and re-elected working for 36 years until his retirement.

John is a Life Member of the Charles Town Baptist Church. He was a past member of the Board of Edge Hill Cemetery, and a member of the Jefferson County Democrats Association. He was also a past member of the Charles Town Moose 948, American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars and a member of Harpers Ferry Alumni Association, where he was presented an Outstanding Distinguished Service Award and received an award from the Public Service Department, for the Water Pollution Contract Project. He also received the Distinguished West Virginian Award by the Governor in 2004.

He has supported many different foundations and organizations. He had a passion for his country, county, local community, church, family and friends. He was well known and very respected in the community.

John was an avid sports fan. He loved to watch his favorite basketball, football and baseball teams, West Virginia University, Red Skins (now Commanders) and Orioles. He also liked wrestling and boxing. He enjoyed reading the newspaper to keep up on all local and latest news, weather and enjoyed working word search books.

He had a daily routine feeding stray cats dropped off, or neighborhood cats and feeding the birds. He enjoyed sitting on the front porch after retiring, greeting people as they passed walking or driving by in their vehicles.

He is survived by his siblings, Eleanor (Polly) Glesner, Elizabeth (Pat) (Orville) Thompson, Mary K. Payne (Kay); one close special niece, Tracey Coffman; niece, Pam Coletta; sister-in-law, Linda Ott; many nieces, nephews and cousins; three close friends, Kay Thompson, Debbie Pittenger and Gayle Magaha; best friends, John Dorsey and Jack Henderson and many other good friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Donald P., Perry E., Robert E. and Frank D. Ott; brothers-in-law, Charles Hough, Gary Glesner and Donald Payne; sisters-in-law, Joy Ott, Ruby Jean Ott, and Doris Ott; nephews, Richard D. Ott, Richard Blumenauer; niece Donna Faye Thompson; great-niece, Heather Ott; and great-nephew, Brad Blumenauer.

Services will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 2:00 P.M., at Charles Town Baptist Church, 203 E. Congress Street, Charles Town, WV 25414, with Reverend Dr. Brian Hotaling officiating.

Interment will follow at Edge Hill Cemetery, 604 Hunter Street, Charles Town, WV 25414.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 22, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, 256 Halltown Road, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Charles Town Baptist Church Stained Glass Fund.