James "Jimmy" Ott Jr.

James "Jimmy" Ott Jr., age 75, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday October 30, 2024, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, November 8, 2024, at Mitchell Berean Church in Mitchell, Nebraska with Pastor Ben Phillips officiating. Cremation has taken place in accordance with his wishes. Memorials may be made in care of the family. The service will be live streamed and recorded to Jimmy's obituary page viewable at www. reverencefuneralparlor.com

Jimmy was born on February 18, 1949, in Scottsbluff to James "Jim" and Ester (Meier) Ott. He grew up in Scottsbluff where he stayed all his life. He attended Scottsbluff Public Schools and graduated in 1967. While in high school, he developed a friendship with a group of guys nicknamed the “Mousers", and to this day he remained close to the surviving Mousers. 

Jimmy was united in marriage in February of 1979 to Diane Stoneking. Together they welcomed a daughter, Allison. The couple later divorced but continued to be very close friends along with Diane’s husband, Chad Nelson. 

Jimmy developed a passion for trucking at the young age of sixteen while working for Carl Schwartzkopf. He later began working for Haiston Oil, a job that spanned over thirty years. The Haiston’s became his family. Jimmy retired, but decided sitting around was not for him. He then started hauling sugar beets for Aulick Leasing, where he thought he was the “Boss”. He liked to say he “worked” for his son-in-law.

Jimmy adored his two grandchildren, Quentin and Sophia. He was everyone’s “Grandpa Jimmy”. He liked attending Bearcat basketball games and cheering for his favorite player, Quentin, whom he fondly referred to as “Bones”. Jimmy loved his dinner dates with his little doll, Sophia, at Perkins and watching college football with Quentin. 

Jimmy knew no stranger. He didn’t miss a tractor pull and liked watching them along with Barrett-Jackson car auctions. He had an unbreakable bond with his daughter, Allison, who was also his best friend. That bond was extended to Dave, his son-in-law. Jimmy absolutely loved spending time with the Cushings and Nelsons and always lit up the room. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his daughter, Allison (Dave) Cushing; grandchildren, Quentin and Sophia Cushing; ex-wife Diane (Chad) Nelson; two nieces; several cousins; and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonnie Clinesmith; and two nieces.