Gorman L. Mott, 77, passed away on March 16, 2009 at the Bay Pines Veterans Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was born on September 27, 1931 in Dryden, New York to Arthur F. and Essie Pudney Mott. He moved with his parents and four brothers to Florida in the 1940’s, where he spent most of his life in Pinellas County. Gorman graduated from St. Petersburg High School in the Class of 1949, and married his childhood sweetheart and fellow St. Pete High graduate, Margaret M. Baker, on July 21, 1952.
Gorman served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Maddox DD731 during the Korean Conflict in the Pacific where he earned the following service citations: China Service Medal Extended, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
He returned to St. Petersburg in 1955 to start his family, and retired from Publix Supermarket in 1986 with 25 years as a Market Manager.
In his early childhood, Gorman became a member of The Salvation Army and a devout Christian. He was active as a leader and teacher. He held positions of Young Peoples Sergeabt Major(YPSM) for ten years and the Corp Sergeant Major(CSM) for thirty years, as well as, a member of the Men’s Club and the Corp’s Brass Band. Among his favorite things was the annual Red Kettle Bell Ringing; he faithfully stood outside in all kinds of weather to greet people and offer a blessing of thanks for their cheerful donations. On many occasions, he was awarded the Highest Earner Award. He also enjoyed serving the public during unfortunate times and disasters on the emergency services canteen. At a moments notice, he would serve meals and have words of comfort and encouragement to those in need. During the trying times of the 1996 ValuJet crash in the Florida Everglades, the 1995 tornadoes that swept accross the Oklahoma City area, and many of the hurricanes that damaged the United States from 2002 to current, with the most recent deployment to the East Coast of Florida in 2008, you could find him lending a helping hand to people from all walks of life.
Gorman joined the High Point Volunteer Fire Department in mid-Pinellas County in the late 1960’s where he served as a volunteer firefighter. He worked up througth the ranks to Lieutenant and later Captain. He was also elected as the President of the Executive Board until the disbandment of the fire department which merged with the Largo and Pinellas Park Fire Departments in the 1980’s.
After his retirement, he and his wife purchased an RV and joined the Good Sam’s Club, Pine Tree Sam’s chapter where he officiated as a chaplain. They traveled the continental 48 ststaes and flew to Hawaii, viewing the vast landscapes and being inspired by God’s grandeur. They made numerous life-long friends and precious memories along the way while having the time of their lives.
Gorman will be missed by the thousands of people he has met and shared his journey through life.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Margaret; three children: Lois-Marie Mott of New Port Richey, FL, William G. Mott of Largo, and Letha May Schaubel of Alabama; four grandchildren: Sarah of Pinellas Park, FL, Amy of New Port Richey, FL, Andrew and Jennifer of Tallahassee; one great-grandchild: Cameron of New Port Richey, FL four brothers and one half-brother.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, April 2, 3=2009 at 2pm from The Salvation Army, 3800 9th Avenue N, St. Petersburg, FL.
Dear Dad:
Your family put your ashes into three coffee mugs as a small remembrance of your 77 short years of life. Whether making, serving, or drinking; coffee was a daily routine for you with your family, friends, and the community.
The green mug is for the 25 loyal years of service you gave to the Publix customers at the meat department. You always said that a 55 cup coffee machine was not big enough for all the coffee you drank while standing on your feet for 16 hours a day.
The St. Petersburg High School mug represents all the coffee you drank while studying for classes and exams. Mostly though, it is a reminder of all the coffee you shared with others while reminiscing at your joyful high school reunions.
The Salvation Army volunteer mug is the most important. It represents your love, God, and community. Since you were 16 years old you have volunteered in a variety of positions; both indoors and out. From teaching to leading and everything in between you were very devoted to the needs of others in all walks of life. But most of all, when an emergency came along or a disaster happened, from Florida to Oklahoma, you faithfully took out The Salvation Army canteen. It didn’t matter the storm, high water, heat, disease, mosquitoes, or problem; you were there from sunup to sundown preparing and serving food and drink. Three meals a day for all those in need was not easy but you made do.
It is very sad to have you leave this great Earth, but a vast population of people are better off having met you and share a hot mug of coffee with you.
Your daughter,
Marie
Dad, I know that you will continue to watch over and direct us like you always have. We looked to you for comfort and wisdom often and I know that God will allow you to continue providing us with this protection. You will never be forgotten.
To the entire Mott family please accept my most heartfelt condolences on the loss of your husband, father, grandfather, brother and more importantly friend!
While I cannot share fully in the grief you are feeling at this time I can rejoice with you in knowing the Gorman is now in the presence of our heavenly father and our saviour, JESUS CHRIST!!!
While it was never my honor and priviledge to meet Gorman I knew that he was a very special person from the words of love and respect that Earl used when he talked about his brother!
As a member of Earls mens group we held Gorman up in our prayers faithfully for strength through his physical suffering!
GOD be with all of you at this time!
Your brother-in-CHRIST
George
George A Cooperrider
It has been an honor to know Gorman for so many years. I always enjoy visits to the Mott House. Going there was like a trip to the country. Always something new to see.(Gorman and Margaret have made so many great Crafts). Gorman has done so many things for people through the years and spent many many hours of time helping in many ways. I would not even want to guess the hours he worked with the Salvation Army doing everything from driving to disaster relief. To the entire Mott family – I will keep you in my prayers and plese do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Carol Williams
I knew Gorman from the High Point Volunteer Fire Dept. in the middle 70’s. He was always calm,and worked as hard at being a contributing volunteer as he worked at his Publix job. I respected him a great deal and wish I could contribute 10% of what he did in his life.
I miss you dad
Gorman was our elder brother. I was the middle of the first five brothers. I remember when the three of us accepted Jesus as our Savior at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ithaca, NY. We moved to Pass-a-Grille Island in Sept 1942. They use to call us the “Five Sullivans.” For five boys from upstate NY being able to go swimming every day was a dream come true. I remember when one day Gorman,Jim and I were in the Gulf swimming. The undertow was particularly heavy and I was caught in it and yelled for Gorman who came to me as the water was above my chin and pulled me to safety.
One day he rescued me from a school bully who had squirted me with a water pistol and I threw a cup of water on him. I spotted Gorman and hid behind him. We would fight each other, but heaven help the one who tackled one of us, because he had to fight all of us. Gorman was a natural leader and loved Jesus.
I was especially proud of Gorman when he joined the Navy and fought for our country in the Korean conflict.
I was on a Christian Mission Trip in Northern Ethiopia when I learned of his illness lsst year. We began to pray for him. As I write I am looking at the picture in December when the six of us were together for the last time. Gorman was not able to eat. I remember when prayer was made for him the next week and he felt the touch of God’s Hand and was able to eat. I talked to him Christmas Day and he said he had eaten a whole Christmas Dinner. God had made his last two months a little more pleasant for him. He now has God’s perfect healing. In the presence of the Father, he has no more pain or sickness, He has a perfect body. We love you Gorman and know that one day we will all be together again.
We continue to pray for Margaret and your children that God’s Holy Spirit will undergird and strengthen you. Evelyn joins me in praying for you. Wesley
Iam so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jesus repeatedly said that the measure of our greatness in the sight of God was our humility and our willingness to serve others in His name. That is what Gorman’s life was all about and Gorman must be one of the greatest men that any who knew him have ever known. During the time of our temporary separation, he will be missed greatly. My prayers are with you Margaret, Marie, Bill and Letha. May you be comforted and find the strength to continue your service for the Lord that Gorman so inspired all of us to do. Jr.
Gorman was one yr. ahead of me in high schooland we went to the salvation army st. pete corps together.last yr. i was able to go to the church reunion and see goman and his family. i’m very glad i got to see him before he passed on,he was a very good and dear friend,my prayers are with Margaret and her family,may God bless him and keep him close as he was a true and good Christian. Luella Clary
My family had the wonderful opportunity to work with this man of God, Gorman while we were stationed in Pinellas Park. He was a man of faith, service and a real encourager. He was always building the Kingdom of God, whether through the baseball games, basketball games, kettles, kids music programs, what ever it was he took every opportunity to tell about the Love of Christ. I am truely blessed to have been a friend of Gorman’s!!!
You will be missed greatly!
WOW! WHAT A GREAT PERSON. I FEEL VERY HONORED TO HAVE HAD HIM AS A PART OF MY LIFE. HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE, ANYTIME. HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART FOR BEING WITH MY FRIEND RODNEY PEACOCK WHEN HE WAS LEAVING THIS EARTH, SHARING GOD’S COMFORT WITH HIM. TO MARGARET, BILL, MARIE, and LETHA I SHARE IN YOUR SADDNESS BUT I KNOW IT IS TIME NOW FOR GORMAN TO REST HE HAS MORE THAN DONE HIS JOB HERE ON EARTH. LOVE SHERRY
Dad,
How could I ever thank you for all the wonderful memories that you gave me as a child? How could I ever thank you for the many vacation and sight seeing trips, adventures we went on growing up and the many different states we got to experience as a family. To me they were and always will be the wonders of the World. I will miss hearing you tell everyone of yours and Mom’s journeys in the RV and about your trip to Hawaii and Mexico after your retirement.
Dad I can never thank you enough for working so hard every day but still having the time to devote to your family and friends to preach at the church and bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
Dad how could I ever thank you for always being there to help me through all the good times and bad? How could I ever thak you for helping me out with the children when I needed it and always letting Jennifer sit on your lap to eat when she wouldn’t eat?
I will truly miss my father, but I am so blessed to know that he is up in Heaven having a party with my Uncle Albert and my Grandmother’s and Grandfather’s and leading everyone in Fun, Praise and Glory. How proud I am to say that this is my Dad!!!!
There are too many things to say as to How could I ever thank you?
Love you always, your Little Girl, Letha
Pop-Pop,
You were such an awesome Grandfather to all of your grandkids; a wonderful dad to 3 kids; and a loving Husband to your beautiful wife, which I’m proud to say is my Granny. There are no words to express how much everyone misses you, but we are glad to know that you are out of pain and are stress- free. You’ve accomplished so much in life, more than I could ever imagine doing. You’ve brought smiles to faces that were down, and uplifted people’s life that needed it. We all love you so much, and will never forget how great of a man you were. I am very proud to say that you are my Grandfather, and you did a good job at it. You were a very strong man!
Love,
Your Grand-Daughter, Jennifer
I can just hear Gorman, leading my Mother. Lois Peacock, in her favorite hymn, “At The Cross”. She always requested him to lead them in song, at the Clearview – Pinellas Park Corp. We’ll miss you Gorman, you’ve earned your rest. God bless your family.
Maxine Peacock Gilmore
126 Sulphur Lick Rd.
Frankfort, OH
45628-9021
To the Baker-Mott Family:
I extend my deepest sympathy to the Family. I will not be able to attend the April 2nd Memorial Service at the Salvation Army.
I will be able to visit the next week.
Jesse W. Knight.
PO BOX 163
Summerfield FL
34492-0163
Wow! I know Gorman is playing his horn in the Heavenly Band.
He will be greatly missed, as he truly was a soldier of Christ.
Oh, the sweet memories of “The good ole days”. School days at
St. Pete” High School.
We had a great time at Church, prayer meetings, Bible Study. Open Air prayer meetings on Central Avenue, Summer Bible School, Summer Camp, Band Camp and beach parties.
When the Mott family joined the Salvation Army, at 318, 3rd. St. South, their Father Mr. Mott was the bus driver who picked us up for Sunday service, and brought us back home. If we were good on the bus, after Wednesday evening Bible Study, he would stop at Webb’s City for us to get a triple-dip-ice cream cone.
As Gorman continues to watch over “The ole Gang”, we will keep him in our hearts and minds.
My husband Bernie and I had a little party for his 77th Birthday. We always enjoyed each others company. Both Gorman and Bernie served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict and always had much to talk about.
Happiness keeps us sweet,
Trials keep us strong,
Sorrow keeps us Human,
Failures keep us Humble,
Success keeps us Glowing,
But only God keeps us going.
Bernie and Bettie (Peacock) Gumz
6930 49th Ave. N.
St. Petersburg, FL
33709-2918
First of all we would like to express our condolences and sympathy to the Mott Family for their loss. Our prayers will continually be with you. As for Gorman, I could not think of anyone more deserving of “sainthood”. When we were first appointed to the old St. Petersburg Clearview Corps we knew we had a good person in Gorman Mott. He was the YPSM (Young People’s Sergeant Major), but he was already doing all of the responsibilities of the CSM (Corps Sergeant Major). Gorman was a true leader, especially a spiritual leader. Gorman’s life was a blessing to both of us. He really encouraged these “young Captains”. It was Gorman’s faithfulness that helped keep the little corps band together. I felt honored, years later, when we were appointed to Sarasota in the Adult Rehabilitation Center and was able to again attend the Pinellas Park Corps and be asked by Gormon, if I would direct the corps band. As we journeyed together building a new Corps building and changing the name to the Pinellas Park Corps. Gorman was one who laughed with us and cried with us. We will forever cherish his friendship. We are sure that Gorman has now heard from God, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Gorman has now reached his greatest appointment in God’s Army. He has received his “Promotion to Glory.” He is safe in the amrs of Jesus and for that we all rejoice. If you are reading this message you are either a family member or a friend of the MottBaker family. It was a blessed day when I first met Gorman, January 1965 as we became his Pastors in a little building on the corner of 43rd Street and 46th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida, then known as The Salvation Army Clearview Corps. We right away became friends, associates, fishing partners, fellow workers in God’s Army and from that day until he took his final breath on March 16, 2009 I counted him as my friend for 44 years. There will always be a vacant place in our lives that Gorman filled as a husband, father, grand father, great grand father, brother, etc., but for those of us who plan to join him someday in Heaven we are looking forward to a grand re-union. Gorman has climbed the Golden Stairs to Glory and has joined all those who have gone before and what a blessing for all of us as Christians, Paul said it best: “To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.” Well done, Gorman, we will miss you but tell all our friends there we are coming. My wife, Sylvia joins me in praying that God will bless Margaret and the entire family and give them peace and comfort. “When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. Majors Charles and Sylvia Nowell
GORMAN WAS ONE OF GOD ANGELS
WOEKING HERE ON EARTH TO HELP
ANYONE AND EVERYONE.HIS LOVE FOR ALL WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HE WILL TRULY MISSED. LOVE and PRAYERS TO MARGARET AND FAMILY.
Pop-pop, words will never be able to decribe how good of a man you were. You were my grandfather as everyone else saw you to be. But to me you more like my own father. You were always there for me no matter what. Always a stable center in my life. Thank you for all the camping trips, for always listening to me whenever I was excited about something and for always doing what you could to help me with anything that I needed. There is no one that could ever replace you in my life. I know you are up in heaven and I will miss you so much. Until we meet again. Your Grand-daughter, Sarah
Well done faithful soldier, your rewared is before you.We miss you,
Look up comrades,and family,the soldier received his promotion.
May the peace of God that passeth all understanding be with be with your Family.
Pop
I could never say thank you enough for everything you have done for me. You were the best grandfather and father to me. You have given me the best childhood that no one could ever give me. All the camping trips, church fuctions and even helping with my homework for school. One thing that I will learn from you and take with me is all the things that you did for people that you knew and didnt know. I love you so much and will be with you one day.
Love Always,
Amy and Cameron “your great grandson”
To the Mott family:
Mark and I were saddened to learn of Gorman’s death. I will always remember him as my Sunday school teacher and family friend. He was always there for my family anytime in our need. He was a good christian man and always had a smile on his face.
To Margaret and family:
We were so sadden to hear of Gorman’s death. It seems like I have known Gorman all my life. He was a gentle man as well as a gentlemen. I remember Gorman as my Sunday school teacher at Clearview, bus driver at Salvation Army down town St. Pete., and Youth Corp Sargent Major. After I got married, he became a good friend to my husband and me. He was so kind to the “Peacock family.” He was always there during any family tragedy we had, giving us love and support. I especially remember how kind and thoughtful he was to my brother Rodney Peacock during his illness. He was there for my brother and one of my last conversations with him was how Gorman came to see him in the hospital and prayed with him. I know they are together as well as my dad Leonard, brother Mickey and recently my brother Rex. What a reunion!!! There is no doubt where Gorman resides now. What a spiritual man who truly believed in Christ and his teachings.
Dear Mott Family,
What a blessing to have known Gorman Mott. I first met Gorman as the Corps Sergeant Major of the Clearview Outpost in 1958 when I was just a 6 year old girl and my parents were the corps officers, Lt. and Mrs Richard Clark. Then I had the blessing of returning to the then Pinellas Park Corps as a Lieutenant myself with my husband in 1979. What an honor to be a witness to the life of such a faithful, christian man. He was such an encouragement to everyone he came in contact with. He was at the corps whenever the doors were open. Some years later when e-mail became popular, Gorman Mott and I found each other once again and I began to receive his wonderfully encouraging e-mails. What a blessing. May God continue to comfort you with His peace as only God can do. God bless you. Major Christine Smith
There are few people on this earth that are as great as Gorman Mott. His dedication and passion to help others spread his faith to everyone he met. His love for his family showed every time he talked of them with a glow that only comes from a pure soul. His eyes would sparkle each time he talked about Margaret. I will forever be grateful for having known Gorman. His life serves as a true example of a Christian. Rejoice, my friend. You deserve the greeting that I’m sure you received: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Janet McGuire
It is hard to put into words my thoughts as I just came across this on the internet so many years after Gormans passing…
The old Clearview Corps is coming togehter again in glory and there Gorman will be found doing what Gorman did best which is loving and serving his God..and loving all those that he met along the way..