Clifford Ray Mott

Clifford Ray Mott died peacefully at home on January 8, 2025, at age 101. 

Cliff’s life was noteworthy not only for its length (and the great health he enjoyed), but also for his lifetime of service. 

Cliff was born in Norfolk, Virginia on November 30, 1923 to Ruby Pearl Lewis (born July 30, 1902) and Elmer Jackson Mott (born October 17, 1901). When Cliff was 4 years old, he moved to Tampa, Florida with his mother. For the rest of his life Cliff considered Tampa his home, and he would tell everyone who would listen how a perfect Cuban sandwich is made, and where to get one in Tampa.

Cliff was in the High School band (trumpet, coronet and French horn), and he would continue to play in bands for the rest of his life. Besides music, his youthful interests included flying, fencing and business. He began trading stocks in his late teens, and he continued right up to his death (at 101). Cliff also joined the youth leadership organization, DeMolay, during High School. DeMolay is an international organization with Masonic origins, and it paved the way for Cliff’s lifetime involvement with Masonic organizations.

Before and during the earlier days of World War II, Cliff attended Tampa University during the day and worked at the Tampa Shipbuilding Company as a welder and a pipefitter at night, helping to build CQ Class cargo vessels.

Military service called in February 1943, and Cliff enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He served as a flight engineer for B-24 bombers in the Pacific theater of operations, having been based first in Attu, in the Aleutian Islands, then later in the Southwest Pacific area, operating off of Guam and other islands recently liberated from the Japanese. He was discharged from active duty following the end of hostilities in November 1945.

After Cliff’s discharge, he was able to pursue the love of his life, Mary Urania Cribb (born June 14, 1923). Mary was beautiful, kind and independent, and a perfect companion. They married on April 18, 1946, and were married for 57 years before Mary’s death on November 6, 2003.

Cliff graduated from the University of Tampa in 1949 with a B.S. in Business and he joined Sears Roebuck & Co., where he enjoyed a 40-year career.  In August 1950 Cliff’s career was interrupted when he was recalled to active service during the Korean War, this time activated into the newly formed US Air Force. Cliff was an aircrew member of the 3075th Aircraft Ferry Squadron, based at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. He participated in many missions to ferry “war-weary” aircraft ranging from the C-47 to the B-29 from storage “bone yard” airfields in Texas, Arizona and other locations back to their original factories, for refitting and refurbishing in preparation for combat service in Korea. On other occasions, he participated in missions delivering some of those same then-refitted aircraft to Korea, or other destinations in the western Pacific area. He was discharged from the Air Force in August 1952, and he remained in the Air Force Reserves until August 1968.

Upon his discharge from Korean War active service, Cliff and Mary moved to Atlanta, where Cliff advanced his career with Sears and Mary joined Eastern Airlines. Cliff and Mary took full advantage of Mary’s flight privileges, and they literally travelled the world. 

Cliff was very active in Masonic organizations, and Mary was a leader in the Daughters of the Nile, a fraternal organization of women that prioritizes philanthropy. (The Daughters of the Nile have supported Shriners Hospital for Children for more than 100 years.) Cliff was a board member for children’s orphanages in Macon, Georgia, and a significant participant in the Shrine Circus fund-raisers for children’s hospitals. 

Cliff was a Master Mason, and a member of Lodges #444 and #743 in Chamblee, Georgia. He served as Worshipful Master of his daylight Lodge, and as a Past Master was involved in the Grand Lodge in Georgia. Cliff also participated in Scottish Rite Freemasonry, where he was awarded the 33rd degree (a title of honor and distinction that recognized Cliff’s outstanding service to the “Scottish Rite, Freemasonry, and society”). 

Consistent with Cliff’s lifetime of service and his commitment to education, he has established scholarships and endowments at the University of Tampa. Almost 100 students have been the beneficiaries of Cliff’s and Mary’s generosity, and their endowments will continue to benefit students for generations.

Cliff lived modestly, worked hard, invested wisely, and served continuously throughout his life. Cliff’s and Mary’s reunion on the other side of death’s veil was undoubtedly glorious.