Sherrell Ott

Sherrell Ott was born on July 30, 1949, in Panguitch, Utah, to Wallace and Mary Ott of Tropic, Utah. He died in St. George, Utah, on April 14, 2026. He was the seventh of nine children. Sherrell graduated in Elementary Education, along with business classes as a minor, from SUSC (Southern Utah State College) in 1974.

Sherrell’s early childhood was spent with best friends Ben Baugh, Scott Munson, Kay, and Paul (Pete) Mangum. He recalled finding and building an old bike to ride around Tropic with a larger wheel on the back so they would always be going downhill. He acquired the nickname of “Shack” because he and his buddies were always building huts to have their own abode.

As a child, Sherrell became the shadow of his father, Wallace. His favorite dog was Dee Frost. He would sneak this dog through the back door and down the hall to his bedroom, trying to hide it from his mother. He loved the cows, his horse, Sally, the East Fork Mountain, and the Rock Spring Ranges. In his late elementary and early junior high years, he lived in an old trailer and herded the cows for all of the permit holders on the East Fork allotments. His father would check on him and make sure he had food supplies.

Later on, at the age of 13, he followed his older sibling’s example and was hired at Bryce Canyon National Park as a dishwasher. He later graduated to a cook at the Inn. During his college years, he worked as a cook at the Town and Country Restaurant under the direction of Rhett Shakespear.

After graduation, in 1967, he attended SUSC and was then called on a mission to the Central British Mission. For a young boy from Tropic, England was a big change. He was so homesick. He often mentioned that if he could have swum across the ocean, he would have come home. He had two Mission Presidents. The second President was President Johnson. He made many changes and opened up more opportunities to teach the gospel. One of Sherrell’s mission companions was Phil Marriot. He has stayed in touch with him through all of these years and worked on different business opportunities with him. In the year of 2019, his children arranged a trip to England so he could return to his old mission. As he sat in a chapel in Birmingham on Fast Sunday, the first of December, tears streamed down his face to see how the Church had grown and the joy he felt that the saints had a chapel instead of holding meetings in an upper room above a PUB.

Sherrell returned home to Tropic after his mission and enrolled in school at SUSC. He began dating Karen Cottam from Escalante, Utah. They dated for a year, and then were engaged for a year so they could finish their schooling. They were married on May 26, 1973, in the St George Temple. Karen is the daughter of Doyle and Thelma Cottam of Escalante.

Sherrell worked for the Forest Service that summer. He and Karen bought a trailer and moved to Parowan, Utah, where Karen taught school at Parowan High School—Business Education. His Father put pressure on him to return to Tropic to run the farm and cattle set-up. A contract was drawn up to secure the sale and payment schedule to his father. After one year in Parowan, Sherrell and Karen moved to Tropic, Utah. They were given a dog and named him Chubs. He was Sherrell’s buddy on the farm. At one time, in Cannonville Field, he saved Sherrell’s life from a Rattlesnake strike. He loved that dog.

Sherrell was also hired to teach 2 nd grade in Bryce Valley Elementary. Karen was hired to teach business at Bryce Valley High School. They made their home in Tropic, Utah, and have lived there for 52 years. Their home was blessed with three children, Michon, Wayne, and Melinda. Sherrell played basketball as a guard through his high school years and loved the sport.

His son, Wayne, did not have a chance to avoid this sport because a basketball was placed in his hands at a very early age. The small nerf ball wore off the paint above his bedroom door as he dribbled down the hall to make the basket.

Sherrell and Karen’s favorite years have been the school years of their children, sports, drill team with girls, cheerleading, dances, first dates, friends, and community families. These are the years that gave us joy and made our lives.

Sherrell loved his children with kind, gentle tenderness. He was proud of Michon, Melinda, and Wayne. He was so proud of their accomplishments in school and their graduations from SUU. Each one has special qualities and has met challenges full strength on. Lately, he would just pick up the phone to have a private visit with his daughters--which they have cherished so much. He cherishes his daughter-in –law, Danielle, and has felt her pain along with his own sorrow in losing his son, Wayne Ott--almost five years ago. His loss has taken a toll on all of us. Seven grandchildren have blessed his life. Such joy he has felt as each one joined his posterity. He and his wife feel blessed to be close to the

Ott Family, the Cottam Family, and the many nieces and nephews who have supported our family structure. So grateful for our cousins and extended family.

Sherrell has worn many hats, from farmer-rancher, school teacher, fuel oil distributor, insurance, county-commissioner, gold mining, and many other entrepreneurial opportunities. He has traveled to many places and met many people. He has had many church callings and leadership opportunities. He and his wife entered the Cedar City Temple as ordinance workers on December 12, 2017, 2 nd shift to meet and adopt a new family—their temple family. He and his wife have been so grateful for this opportunity, and will she will miss their weekly date.

Sherrell has continued to enjoy basketball, the local games, BYU, and the Jazz Games. He claims that McDonald's Coke is the best. He has been a good kitchen surfer and official taster to check out what is being cooked for family meals. He and his wife also have enjoyed watching special podcasts together, holding hands, and sitting on the couch, discussing life in general.

Sherrell is survived by his wife, Karen Cottam Ott. His children are Michon Ott Stahle, Melinda (Robert) Halladay, and Daughter-In-Law Danielle DeMille Ott (Burke Morin).

Ott family: Irene Emett, Thomas Brent and Emily Ott, Lloyd and Janice Ott, Sandra Ott Houston, James Kim and Kathryn Evans Ott, and Gary Lee and Janet Kathy Ott Davis. Aunt and Uncle: Jerry and Janeal Chatterton. Aunt Laura Cottam.

Cottam Family: Myron and Sanette Checketts Cottam, Brent and Patrice Haws Cottam, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His grandchildren are: Madison and Mason Stahle. Averie, Easton, and Beckum Ott. Cooper and Taylor Halladay.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Wayne Sherrell Ott. His siblings and in-laws: Marilyn Ott—Murt Murdock, Bert Emett, Wallace Ott Jr., Gladys Ott, and LaMotte Houston.

A special thanks to the Tropic EMTs who arrived at his home in an emergency situation on Sunday afternoon. Also, to the Garfield County Hospital and staff. We appreciated the special care at the IHC in St. George, Utah. We were truly sent angels.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 1:00 pm in the Tropic Ward Chapel, where friends may call from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. Burial will be at the Georgetown Cemetery, 2 ½ miles south of Cannonville, Utah. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti. An online guestbook and livestreaming of services can be found at www.maglebymortuary.com