Jack Botts

Jack H. Botts,
Nov. 5, 1918 - Jan. 17, 2008

Jack H. Botts, 89, of Waco, passed away to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008. Jack was born Nov. 5, 1918, in Liberal, Kan., and resided in Porterville, Calif., and Stillwater, Okla., before moving to Waco in July of 2005, to be near family.

He enjoyed spending time with family, was an avid Lady Bear Basketball fan and member of the Tip Off Club. A World War II veteran, he served in the Army Air Corps as a gunner. As a member of the 47th Bomb Group, he served in Tunisia, Sicily and Naples-Foggia. He earned a Silver Star, an Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and two purple hearts for his heroism in combat as well as numerous other medals.

Jack spent his entire professional career involved in agriculture as a rancher, an appraiser and an agriculture loan officer.

He leaves behind his wife of 60 year, Martha Joan (Bilyeu) Botts: three daughters, Julie and husband Bruce Bennett of Bruceville; Becky and husband Les Crowl of Sparks, NV; and Sara Bums of Redondo Beach, CA. He also is survived by four granddaughters and a grandson; Jennifer and Kevin Monday of Dunbar, W.V., Heather Kearney of Lorena; Erin and Bobby Bryce of Frisco, TX; SSgt Reese and Heather Vaughan of Fort Meade, Md., and Megan and Ricci Bottoms of Lorena. In addition, nine great grandchildren survive him.

Our sincere thanks to the VA Hospitals in Fresno, Calif., Oklahoma City, Temple and Waco for the outstanding and loving are given to all veterans.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. at Sunnybrook Christian Church in Stillwater, Okla.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Waco VA Hospital( general purpose or certain area nursing home care) 4500 Memorial Dr. Waco, Texas 76711.