Dr. Jay Cordell Bott Obituary (1947

It is with heavy hearts we announce the death of a truly great man, Dr. Jay Cordell Bott, who unexpectedly passed away in his sleep, Saturday, February 19, 2022. Cordell was born October 31, 1947, to Leroy J. Bott Jr. and Blanche Toombs Bott in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the eldest of four children. He graduated as Valedictorian from Highland High School and was also a Sterling Scholar. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South German Mission. Upon return, Cordell married his high school sweetheart, Janet Matthews, on June 14, 1970, in the Salt Lake Temple. They reared their four children as she put him through school, and he graduated from The University of Utah School of Medicine, with high honors. He specialized in Hematology/Oncology. He served in the Naval Reserve where he achieved the rank of Commander and practiced at Balboa and Camp Pendleton Naval Hospitals in the San Diego area. The family moved and he started the first Hem/Onc program in Utah County and served as the Chairman at Utah Valley Hospital (UVH) in Provo, Utah. Although busy, Cordell and Jani worked side by side with their children to build a cabin, and founded the Oxbow Ranch in Hanna, Utah. Cordell and Jani later divorced. He married Julie Christiansen, in the Manti Temple on September 11, 1992. Julie brought her three children to the family, and he loved them as his own. Together they worked to form a happy family. Cordell was an early member of Central Utah Clinic (now Revere) where he served on the Board of Directors for over twenty years. He also served as Medical Director. He was President of the Utah Valley Medical Association as well as the Society of Utah Medical Oncologists (SUMO). He was key in obtaining the NAPBC accreditation for the breast cancer centers of excellence at UVH and American Fork Hospital and was a principal investigator for numerous oncology trials. Cordell literally saved thousands of lives throughout his time in practice and extended the lives of many more. A friend and support to all his patients, colleagues, and employees, his work ethic was unmatched. His dedication as a physician was inspiring, and his personal sacrifice lives on through his patients and those who knew him. Cordell had a love of the outdoors and spent much of his childhood at his family cabin on the Weber River. His father taught him to hunt and shoot. He was an excellent marksman. He also learned to fish, ride horses, and snowmobile. In turn he taught these skills to his children, grandchildren, and many others as well as his love for the beauty of the outdoors. He also taught the value of a hard day’s work. He was a father figure to many. Always on an adventure, he took family and friends out hunting, snowmobiling, ATVing, hiking, backpacking, and exploring. When away from Julie, he was happiest leading his children, grandchildren, nephews, and friends on horse packing fishing trips into the Wind Rivers. He loved his horses almost as much as his kids. He believed that time was best spent on a horse. The Oxbow Ranch became one of the largest Quarter Horse breeding programs in the United States. Cordell loved the fine arts and music. He played the piano and cornet when he was young. He became an extraordinary pianist. Cordell also composed his own music. He loved to play the organ and served as the church organist and in many other capacities, most recently in the Elders Quorum Presidency. Cordell and Julie enjoyed traveling; they visited over 80 countries across the world. They made new friends wherever they went. Cordell was fluent in many languages including German and Spanish. He spent his evenings studying astronomy and gazing at the stars. Cordell and Julie loved spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Cordell is preceded in death by the love of his life, Julie Johnson Bott; stepson, Michael Johnson; brother, Douglas Bott; and niece, Ashley Holt. He is survived by his four children, Jason (Krista), Jeffrey (Amie), Janelle Bott Fenn, and Jeremy (Aubrey); his stepdaughters, Jennifer Tittensor (Zach), and Rebecca Johnson; as well as his sisters, Dianne Bott Adler (Thomas), and Carole Bott Tudor. He leaves behind 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren who will miss him dearly. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the church building located at, 114 South 400 West, Orem, Utah. Friends may call at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Friday, March 4, from 6-9:00 p.m., and at the church Saturday from 9:15-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to a cancer charity of your choice such as the American Cancer Society or the National Breast Cancer Foundation. To view the funeral, live online, please use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/95419429771 (Video will not be available after the service). Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com. “You endure what is unbearable and then you bear it.” ~William Shakespeare