George Ott (2-27-13)

ATLANTA - George Dietrich Ott, 36, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 in Atlanta.

He was born in Tazewell, Va., on July 28, 1976, the son of Dr. Bruce Alan Ott and Jo Ward Rice. He went to Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, graduating in 1994. He was the goalie for the Cedar Shoals Jaguars soccer team, and won Defensive Player of the Year in 1994. George attended High Point University in High Point, N.C., from 1994 to 1997, where he majored in sports medicine and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. George transferred to Valdosta State University, where he majored in marketing. He worked as an application support specialist at Turner Broadcasting for two years, where he was named Employee of the Quarter in 2012. Prior to this, George worked as an applications analyst for Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens, and a senior operations analyst at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida in Jacksonville, Fla.

Mr. Ott was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Bruce Alan Ott.

Survivors include a son, Tyler Matthew Ott; daughter, Sarah Marie Ott; mother, Jo Ward Rice; stepfather, Judge Harry F. Rice; sister, Kirsten Ott Palladino; sister-in-law, Maria Lyn Palladino; nephew, Leonardo Vincent Palladino; nephew, Rocco Bruce Palladino; stepmother, Dr. Clare Marie Connell; grandmother, Marguerite Ward; uncle, Dr. Walter Richard Ott; and aunt, Dr. Carla Narrett.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, at Mount Hermon Presbyterian Church at 5560 Commerce Rd., Ila, with the Rev. Teresa Franklin officiating. Reception will immediately follow in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George Ott's name to Bear Hollow Zoo Donations at Memorial Park, 293 Gran Ellen Dr., Athens, GA 30606, where George spent his summers with his sister, and then loved to take his children once he became a father. George's children were his pride and joy.

The family of George Ott wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Northside Hospital Atlanta and Hospice Atlanta Center, who cared for George and his family with compassion, love and dignity.

Dignity Memorial Chapel, H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, Atlanta, is in charge of arrangements.