OH Magazine

Remembering John Ott, Jr. - His Struggle With Obesity

by Niloo E Sarabi

On September 22, 2005, John William Ott, Jr., an inspiring and prolific ObesityHelp (OH) volunteer, passed away due to complications of his obesity. Only 44 years old, John had undergone weight loss surgery two days before. With sad hearts, hundreds of members on the OH message boards read his last poem, ?Mortality,? posted by John?s dear friend Luana Ball at his request.

John wrote: I dedicate this to all who are trying to control the disease of obesity by using that wonderful tool known as weight loss surgery. I wrote this one while thinking about my impending surgery and considering the possibility that I wouldn?t make it. If this poem is posted on the ObesityHelp message boards by anyone other than myself, it means that I did die in the attempt, whether it was on the table, or afterwards. For my brothers and sisters still struggling, keep the faith. This disease does not have to be fatal. I am looking over you all from my place in Heaven and if God allows me to do so, I will lend you the strength you need to persevere.

For many months, members had found solace and strength in John?s frequent and inspirational posts on the OH message board, and now his last words conveyed to them yet another encouraging message of faith and perseverance.

A loving son and affectionate brother, uncle and friend, John always enjoyed being surrounded by his loved ones and never failed to lend a helping hand whenever it was needed. He harbored a lifelong passion for music and poetry; he often wrote songs that he sang with his beautiful voice and loved to play the guitar. He was a member of the parish at St. Andrew Newman Center, where he sang with the choir for many years. His students at the Badger Springs Middle School in Marino Valley, California, knew him as a passionate teacher and recognized his kind and compassionate heart.

John?s great love for nature?s beauty and its creatures made him a dedicated member of the Boy Scouts of America and earned him the highest rank of Eagle Scout. An extensive list of the things he aspired to do after his weight loss surgery revealed his enduring interest in spending time being active outdoors. Surfing,skiing and scuba diving were his primary dreams. The people who had the privilege of knowing John during his lifetime remember his caring and gentle spirit as much as his remarkable personal strength and resolve.He refused to surrender to fear, but instead chose to live and fight his obesity until the very end. He will be greatly missed, but his words and the great example of kindness and courage that he set will live on.