John Aubrey Mortimer, (Col.) |
| Posted 2016-09-08 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, August 30, 2016, page 7a John A. Mortimer, 97, of Prescott passed away on Aug. 27, 2016, in Prescott, Arizona. Abcfunerals is in charge of arrangements. ---------------------- The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, September 6, 2016, page 3a In Loving Memory. Always. Colonel John A. Mortimer, 1919-2016 Our “Laddie” only 96. Young at heart, he’d reminisce about his whippersnapper days: How World War II ended in a smashing Victory Day celebration. Swinging along until the crack of dawn with the “boogie-woogie babies.” What a lark when he taught me (his wife, Liza) how to jitterbug the G.I. way. A far cry from combat duty. He served in the US Army, European Theatre Operation under Gen. George Patton, fighting in the bloody Battle of the Bulge. Then he was called up again for the Korean War. But the Army reassigned him to observe Ground Zero testing of the atomic bomb. Awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and three Battle Stars. A graduate of the Command and General Staff College. And a lifetime member of the Reserve Officers Association. Past Commander of the American Legion. Past President of Rotary International. Honorary lifetime member of the Elks, DAV and VFW. Although he retired from the military, he never retired from serving our community. For decades, he volunteered at the VA hospital. What a wonderful surprise when the VA honored him with the 2014 award for “Volunteer of the Year.” And every year on behalf of the American Legion, he collected poppy donations for our needy veterans. Served on the Honor and Color Guard. Presented the American flag at military funerals to the families of our fallen heroes. Meanwhile, back in civvies, former Mayor Sam Steiger presented him with a “Good Samaritan” award. Pressing on regardless, at Whiskey Row, they joked about painting another crosswalk for pub crawling. At parties, he delighted playing Father Christmas with Marsha and at the American Legion giving gifts galore to all the wee nippers. For all their tender loving care, special hugs to the VA staff. And to kind-hearted friends who gave me a lift to the VA hospital every day to visit my Laddie. Full military honors will be presented by the American Legion, Post 6, Honor Guard. A celebration of his life will be held at the VA Chapel, Prescott, Arizona, on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 at 11 a.m. Inurnment at Prescott National Cemetery. Please, in lieu of flowers, he wished donations be sent in his memory to: American Legion Honor Guard, Post 6, Attn: Captain Dan Tillmans, 202 S. Pleasant St., Prescott, AZ 86303. Laddie did not wish to be remembered with tears and sorrow. He wished to be remembered with smiles and laughter. Because that’s the way he was … a jolly good sport and ever-ready to lend a helping hand. Dedicated to serving our community. He was not only ours, he was everybody’s hometown “Laddie.” Information provided by survivors. --------------------- The following article was submitted by Marsha Donelson. John Aubrey Mortimer was born at home in New Castle, Pennsylvania on November 13, 1919 and passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016, and is now with his Lord and Savior. Mr. Mortimer was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Betty (Cope), as well as his mother Carolyn (Murphy), father, Henry M., siblings Henry, Florence, and Roland. Mr. Mortimer is survived by his wife, Liza, his loving daughter Marsha (Donelson) of Tehachapi, California, his two sisters-in-law, Frances (Cope) Sullivan and Margaret (Schatz) Mortimer, grandson, granddaughter, two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Mortimer was a true American, and a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service in WW II; he also served in the Korean War, and when he retired, dedicated over 7,000 hours as a volunteer at the Prescott V.A. Medical Center in Arizona. Mr. Mortimer was also the past Commander at the American Legion Post 6 in Prescott, Arizona and was an active member in the Honor Guard for several years until his health declined. In his civilian life, Mr. Mortimer was a Senior Loan Officer at Bank of America in Brentwood, California. Mr. Mortimer was member of the First Congregational Church in New Castle, and a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates, never met a stranger, was a valued friend to so many, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Mr. Mortimer will be buried with full military honors at the Prescott, Arizona, V. A. Cemetery, and in lieu of flowers, a donation for the Honor Guard can be made/sent c/o Captain Dan Tillmans, Honor Guard, 202 S. Pleasant Street, Prescott, AZ 86303. A separate funeral service was conducted in Mr. Mortimer's home town, New Castle, where his cremains were buried in the plot next to the love of his wife, Betty, who passed away in 1971 - They are now together forever |
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