Edward C. Mott
January 19, 1932 – January 13, 2021
On January 13, Edward Campbell Mott, 88, passed away at home, looking out at cows, horses and the Montana rangeland he loved. While many ranchers come from families that have been ranching for generations, Ed first found his passion for ranching from the books by J. Frank Dobie, Will James and Owen Wister. He grew up on two acres outside of Carlsbad, NM with 4-H lambs, pigs and chickens. In the years after attending Colorado State University, he’d work on ranches in New Mexico, Colorado and Montana. He was drafted in the Army in 1954, and spent two years in the service. Upon his discharge, he worked out of Fort Collins for a purebred Hereford outfit. Following the time in Colorado, he headed south of Carlsbad to work for the Sibley Ranch.
While cowboying in New Mexico, Ed met his wife, Diane West, whose family had a ranch outside of Santa Fe. They were married in January 1960 and moved back to the Sibley Ranch where he started running cows rather than getting wages, beginning with 25 cows and one bull.
Ed and Diane bought their own ranch in Park Valley, Utah in 1961. They raised four sons and a daughter in Utah where they were active as 4-H leaders. Ed was involved with Raft River Rural Electric for many years and was named Utah Rancher of the Year. In 1979 they moved to Reedpoint, Montana. The drought/farm crisis caused the loss of that ranch in the mid-1980s. Ed packed up his ranch and moved to north Central Montana, eventually settling to a ranch in Simms. Ranch life continued in this way until 2014 when an over-protective mother cow put the then 82-year-old Ed in the hospital for several weeks. Ed would recover and was back to working his cows when another calamity struck in December. Their home burned to the ground taking with it art, books, antiques and all of the family mementos. At that point, Ed and Diane decided to move their ranch yet again, this time buying a ranch north of Miles City to be closer to their ranching sons.
Ed’s legacy is not only his children and grandchildren, but his reputation as an honest, kind and fair man. He cherished his family, land, livestock and wildlife. He was known for his rag-time piano playing and great polkas on his accordion. Ed took many young people ‘under his wing’ to teach them about ranching and life. He was riding and fixing fence only days before passing away after finally losing a battle with cancer. “Ride Easy,” Ed Mott.
Ed is survived by his wife, Diane West Mott; five children: John, Taylor (Anna Booth); Casey (Rebecca Colnar); Tom (Patty Shaughnessy) and Kate Mott Morrow (Bill Morrow, Jr.) and seven grandchildren: Edward, Fiona, Ty, Aidan, James, Adelaide and Kai.
The family is planning a memorial service later in the spring. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorial donations can be made online at https://srm.allenpress.com/srm/DONATE.aspx; by check to Society for Range Management with Edward Mott in the memo line and mailed to Society for Range Management, 8918 W 21st St N STE 200, #286, Wichita, KS 67205. You may also phone in your donation by calling the SRM Business Office at 785-865-9456.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Denise Harvey says
Dear Mott family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find comfort with cherished memories. Take care!
Jean Jones says
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all.
Lynn Palmer says
From Park Valley and the Rudger Palmer family. So sorry about your dad Ed. We have so many wonderful fond memories. Loved his piano playing, he was always such a gentleman. Your folks helped in the community’s events. Started 4-h. Took kids to camps. Kurry Komb Kids still are here. Tom, Lynn took you alone on the bus that last year. We love you all
Royce Larsen says
So sorry for your loss. He was a great figure in our lives. You are in our hearts and prayers. Tell your mom we’re thinking about her at this time.
Royce Larsen and family.
Steve and Roxanna says
To the Mott family. We are so sorry for your loss.
You a ll were such good friends to us here in Park Valley. God bless you all. From the Wagstaffs and Broudus’s.
Rick Broadus says
I still think about you guys from time to time. Sorry for your loss. Ed was a great man. Our prayers are with you all. My the lords hand comfort you all at this time. Rick & Robin Broadus Reed Point , Mt
Marilyn Moncur says
My sympathy to Diane and the Mott family. You certainly have been left with a great legacy. Ed was a great teacher, musician, leader, and cowboy. I will always be grateful to Ed and Diane for starting the 4-H club in Park Valley. You gave country kids the opportunity to learn new skills, be leaders and excel in so many ways. Those early beginnings have served me well throughout my life. May your memories bring you peace and happiness.
Sincerely, Marilyn Moncur (Kunzler)
Don Hofmann says
Hey Mott family——–I want you to know that ever-so-many thoughts and prayers are heading your way. My loss not getting to know Mr. Mott. Extending my sympathy.
Diona Austill says
So sorry to hear about your dad Tom.
Joe Whalen says
Diane, Tom & Family –
Please accept my condolences for the loss of Mr. Mott. I don’t think I met him more than once or twice in passing but, after reading his obituary, I’m sorry I didn’t know him better. He sure sounds like a fine man who lived well and left us a wonderful legacy in the form of his family and a few hillsides still covered with red-and-white breeding. May peace to you all.
LaRae Tangen says
So very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. He was a very kind man.
Tamara Mott says
We loved Ed Mott. He was one of kindest men we have ever known. He was a great role model to his children,
grandchildren and so many. We have many fond memories and stories of times with him in Montana. We were blessed by his influence in our lives……. Thank you Ed, for being one of life’s treasures……. Ride easy.
Love, Tamara, Ty & Aidan Mott
Fee Busby says
I just read of Ed’s passing in a SRM newsletter. Ed was a wonderful man and I know you will miss him. We all will miss him even though our paths hadn’t crossed for a while. Love to all of you. Fee
Tamara Mott says
Dearest Mott family,
Though I was not able to attend Ed’s memorial and celebration of life in Montana, I was certainly there in spirit.
Ed , Diane and family meant so much to me & I cherish what they added to my life.
Seeing the photos of the family’s tribute to Ed….from the spring branding & two stepping, to the memorial procession & music at the ranch….showed the love of his family & so beautifully honored his life, legacy and ranching tradition.
My love to all of you… and “Ride Easy”.
-Tamara
Barney and Emily Bouma says
To Diane and Family,
It was a pleasure getting to know you when Ed & Diane were buying hay while ranching by Simms. We always looked forward to seeing Ed and catching up. Every time I left with the truck Ed would tell me “ride easy.” Now it’s my turn,Ride Easy, Ed. – Barney