Bruce Dennis Ott

Bruce Dennis Ott, Major, USAF Ret., passed away peacefully January 25, 2021.  After sharing a quiet goodbye with his children, the effects of COVID-19 took his life.  Bruce was born October 11, 1948 in Rockville Centre, New York to parents Colonel (USA Ret.) Bruce and Marion (Kunzinger) Ott.  Bruce was a loving husband, companion, brother, father, and grandfather.

Bruce grew up a military child, and he moved often.  He lived in New York, Japan, Maryland, San Francisco, and back to Maryland where he graduated from Robert E. Perry High School in Rockville.  His family left Maryland for San Antonio, Texas, and on their way, they dropped Bruce off at his beloved Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.  Bruce majored in communications and enrolled in the USAF ROTC program.  While attending Texas Tech he worked as a photographer for the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, cementing a lifelong love for photography.  During a summer off from college, he managed a Howard Johnson’s Restaurant, and he hired a cute girl named Cynde.  Soon after he hired her, they began an amazing love story, and they were married in 1968.  In 1970, after graduating Texas Tech, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the USAF.  He attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese AFB, Texas.  After a brief assignment at Mather AFB, CA, he became a T-38 instructor pilot at Williams AFB, Arizona.  As an instructor, he made a big impact on his students, and he taught the first class of female pilots in the USAF.

After his active-duty career, Bruce was hired by American Airlines in 1978 and joined the Air Force Reserves.  That year he began a journey that would truly inspire his family.  His airline career was nothing short of spectacular.  He flew the 727, DC-10, MD-11, and 777.  While at AA, he made an enormous impact.  He became a check-airman, teaching and evaluating the pilots of American Airlines.  He also paved the legacy for his son, Dennis, and son-in-law Paul, who both proudly work at American.  His love of travel inspired Jennifer, as she worked as a travel agent.  He retired from AA in 2011.  While he was pursing his career at AA, he continued to serve America as a fighter pilot.  As a member of the famed 47 ^th Tactical Fighter Squadron, he flew the A-37 Dragonfly and the A-10 Warthog.  His love of The Warthog inspired Dennis to choose a career as an A-10 pilot.  His love of flying drove Paul to a career as an Air Force officer and navigator.  Lastly, his love of country steered his son Christopher to a career in the Marine Corps.  In 1991, he retired from the USAF Reserves.

The real story of Bruce is his love; he shared it most especially with his wife and children.  As a husband, he was loving and Cynde was his best friend.  He adored her and became her caretaker, as Alzheimer’s took ahold of her.  He spent their last moments together showing her an inspiring love until she passed. As a father, he was giving.  He took his children on vacations around the world, and spoiled them on his favorite day, Christmas.  However, his most impressive role was as a grandfather. He was The World’s Greatest Grandfather, seriously.  He was constantly at play with his grandkids, whether in the pool, or dancing, or playing anyplace they wanted.   He was their best friend because he was a kid, too.  He loved their accomplishments, attending sports, theater, choir, and anything they asked of him.  He and Cynde took them on vacations, where parents were not allowed.  They were called “The Big Kids Trip”.  As she aged, Cynde was replaced by one of his many best friends, (Gruncle).  He and Bruce took eight grandkids on a Caribbean cruise that they will never forget.

Bruce had many other interests, hobbies, and side jobs.  He installed landscapes and irrigation with his friend Ray.  He built custom homes in DFW, as the owner of Bruce Ott Custom Builders.  He owned Evergreen Gardens, a family garden center.  He enjoyed travel, skiing, photography, charity work, and his Catholic Faith. Bruce never met a stranger.  His larger-than-life personality meant that he did not simply have friends, because everyone was his best friend!  If the story of Bruce is love, then we must talk about his loving companion Linda Matthews.  As a recent widow and widower, the two of them found love again after their hearts were broken.

Bruce is survived by his loving companion Linda Matthews, children Jennifer Cushman and her husband Paul, Dennis Ott and his wife Shannon, Christopher Ott and his wife Ashley, grandchildren Allison, Andrew, Stewart, Madison, Adella, Lilibeth, Vaughn, Avery and Aiden, and his sister and four brothers. He was preceded in death by his wife Cynthia Jane Ott and his parents Bruce Ott and Marion Ott.  There will be a Vigil Service on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:00 pm at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano, Texas 75023. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10:30 am also at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. There will be a private interment with full military honors at DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.

The pandemic has been especially hard on the Ott family.  We encourage you to watch the live stream of both services available at https://youtu.be/ih6wy3SIzNw for the Vigil and https://youtu.be/j7mWv5_XIA8 for the mass.

Guests are welcome to attend in-person.  However, in order to reduce crowd size, please consider attending either the vigil service or Mass of the Resurrection.  For in person attendance, please register at the following link https://seasplano.flocknote.com/signup/39552 All services will have limited capacity, strict social distancing, and mask policy.  We ask that if you are at risk, you celebrate by watching the live stream or view the funeral at a later time.

When gatherings are safe again, Bruce’s children will be throwing a celebration of life party to celebrate the man that was larger than life.  Please visit www.celebratebruce.com for more information.  (The dates and times of the celebration weekend are to be determined).

If desired, the family suggests memorials be made to the Catholic Charities Dallas (ccdallas.org) or The Make a Wish Foundation (wish.org).