Walter Neal Mott

.Born in the rugged Ozark Mountains of Arkansas on February 21, 1936, LTC (ret) Walter Neal Mott personified America's self-made man. Eldest son of Walter I. Mott and Clara Daniels Mott, of Booneville, Ark., he embraced the educational opportunities of the U.S. Army and Arkansas Tech University. He often considered the most satisfying moment of his Army career to be selection for Airborne training at a ripe old age and being in the Chemical Corps as well, because even in those younger days, he craved action. After serving two tours in Vietnam, his Army retirement at Ft Bliss was followed by teaching science at Irvin H.S. in El Paso for 17 years while also receiving his Master's Degree in Public Administration at UTEP, after discovering his adopted Rosedale Farms neighborhood of El Paso, Texas.

Walter and his wife of 50 years, Helen Davis Mott, met during the Kennedy years near Washington DC where they were friends at Ft Detrick, MD. before their marriage on May 30, 1964. Their future together was bonded in the concert halls of our Nation's capital and became the backbone of musical experiences that spanned the 5 decades of their marriage, including many years as Board members of the El Paso Chorale; Walt's beloved EP Opera, for whom he performed many volunteer hours backstage and thrilled to be a "super" in "Aida" (1998); "Romeo and Juliet" (2000); and as the Notary in Act II of 2004's production of "Tosca".

After Director of Music Stephen Jackson founded the series "Sounds of Grace", Walt adopted this arm of his beloved Grace United Methodist Church and oversaw many of the details of the recital series which was his last new "project".

Walt and Helen are parents of Robin M. Bodie, retired graphic artist of Colorado Springs, CO, and H. Christopher Mott, Judge in Austin and El Paso. Other survivors include daughter in law Cindy Beck Mott, grandchildren Peter W. Platt, Noah L. Bodie, Ryan C. Mott and Rebecka C. Mott; great-grandchild Madison Bodie; sisters Lucille Perry (spouse Herbert), and Linda Hamby (spouse Evert); niece Rhonda Garner, grand-niece and nephew, as well as many other loving family members. He was preceded in death by brother Donald.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Ft Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors.