LOVE YOU GRANDPA!

Ottis M. Plant Colonel, U.S. Army Ottis was a kind and gentle man whose life personified impeccable integrity, wisdom, perseverance, and strength of character. He was born on August 16, 1918, in Richmond, Utah, to Henry Thomas Plant and Edith Louisea Webb. Ottis was a graduate of Utah State University, a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and a cadet in the Army ROTC program. Originally planning a career in dental medicine, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and, with the breakout of World War II, placed on active duty in 1940. While stationed in the Territory of Alaska, Ottis met and fell in love with a beautiful woman named Beverly Schmidt from St. Louis, Mo. She worked as an executive secretary, teletype operator, and multiplex operator for the Alaska Communication System, Signal Corp, U.S. Army, in Anchorage. They were married on June 17, 1944, in El Paso, Texas, and the marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. During his 29 years of military service, he, Beverly, and his mother-in-law, Clara, whom he loved dearly, moved 21 times. Preceded in death by Beverly and Clara, Ottis rejoined them on July 9, 2009. Ottis served in numerous prestigious command and leadership assignments while serving as a career Army Officer. Highlights of his military service with the Defense Intelligence Agency include assignments as Chief, Intelligence Planning Group, J2, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence and Collection of Intelligence, G2, Army General Staff; and Chief, Training and Education (Intelligence), G2, Army General Staff. Ottis also served as Chief Instructor, Command and Leadership Department, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, Ottis regarded his most meaningful assignment as Commander of an Air Defense Battalion in South Korea for thirteen months while assigned to the 8th U.S. Army. His battalion was deployed on mountaintops in battery sized units with surveillance search radar and hawk antiaircraft missiles overlooking North Korea with the mission to monitor and counter Soviet aircraft flown by Chinese and North Korean pilots. While stationed in Korea, Ottis served as President of the first LDS District in South Korea. It was here that he met President Gordon B. Hinckley during a Sunday worship service in Seoul. In President Hinckley's book, Go Forward with Faith, he describes the testimony meeting on page 257 as follows: "It was one of the most moving experiences of my life to listen to them. Here were strong military men who wept as they thanked the Lord for the Gospel, for their families, and one another..And so it went for the better part of three hours to become an unforgettable spiritual experience." Ottis concluded his military career as the Professor of Military Science at the University of Utah. He and his family resided in Quarters 13A, Officer's Circle, on historic Fort Douglas. Ottis was directly responsible for obtaining the "Thunder Ute" cannon that is fired after Utah touchdowns. He was also instrumental in developing the Army ROTC programs at Brigham Young University and the Weber State University. Ottis voluntarily served the University of Utah faculty as an adjunct professor in the Department of Geography. His numerous awards and decorations include the Joint Services Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit. After retirement, Ottis was selected to become the President and General Manager of National Distribution Systems (NDS) at Freeport Center, Clearfield, Utah. He developed this company into one of the largest and most efficient storage and distribution facilities in the United States. Nominated by his executive secretary, Ottis was recognized as "Boss of the Year" in 1971 by the National Secretarial Association for his leadership example, achievements, and personal care of employees. After his second retirement, Ottis worked as a leadership and management consultant and lecturer. He was a requested speaker and addressed such diverse organizations as a Scientific Seminar for the Department of Agriculture, the Geographer's Association, and the National Association of Shippers Advisory Board. Ottis once again answered the call of duty, this time for the State of Utah, when Governor Cal Rampton asked him to serve as Chairman of the State Liquor Control Commission in 1978. Ottis was a proud and serving member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his military and civilian career. His callings while in the military included District President, Stake High Counsel, and Independent Branch President. After military retirement,, Ottis served as a Host and Guide on Temple Square for ten years. He and his wife, Beverly, served two church leadership missions in the Temple View Stake, 4th Ward, and Liberty Stake, 8th Ward. They also served as Temple Workers in the Salt Lake City Temple. When Ottis wasn't serving his Church, his Country, or his State, he was golfing. He learned to golf as a left handed player while in the military service because "playing right-handed made the game too easy!" One of Ottis' proudest moments occurred on November 12, 2005, at the Utah vs. New Mexico Football game, when he was recognized by the University of Utah as the Blue Cross Blue Shield "Super Fan" for his contributions to the university and for being the father of three sons who all received their undergraduate degrees from Utah. Go Utes! Ottis is survived by his sons, COL (Ret) Thomas O. Plant (Eleanor), Randall A. Plant (Paula), and Gary Lee Plant (Connie), nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff, nurses, and CNAs at Alta Ridge Assisted Living in Sandy and 1st Choice Hospice for the love and compassionate care they provided Ottis during the last six months of his life. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 11:30 am at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 North "N" Street, SLC, UT. Family and friends may call Wednesday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, SLC. UT prior to services. Please send condolences to the family at www.larkinmortuary.com