Charles Howard Otnott, III

Charles “Charlie” Howard Otnott, III, 67, of Gulfport, MS, passed away at his home October 15, 2024 following a long illness.

He was born on May 4, 1957, in New Orleans, LA to the late Elsie Buras-Otnott and Charles H. Otnott, Jr.

Charlie was a kind and gentle soul to all who loved him dearly. He will be sadly missed by the many lives he touched. After graduating Redemptorist High School, New Orleans, LA --Charlie joined the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and retired after 20 years as a Chief Petty Officer Radioman (RMC). After the USCG, he worked at the Hancock County Sherrif’s Office as a 911 Dispatcher, while also attending the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He continued in Law Enforcement as Intelligence Coordination Specialist with the Bay St. Louis, MS Police Department for Customs & Border Protection (ICE) in Gulfport, MS and retired in 2017.

Charlie had several hobbies. He loved being an Amateur Radio Operator (HAM radio) for many years. His call sign is WD5BJT. He met many operators around the world, including astronauts and cosmonauts in orbit. He loved the radio art and Short-wave Listening (SWL). He owned and operated a UHF Amateur Radio repeater at his home in Gulfport, MS. Aviation was another passion of his. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, also known as the Civil Air Patrol – he loved to fly. Lastly, he loved to scuba dive. He was a certified scuba diver where he dived in Guam, Hawaii, Truk Lagoon, Florida, Palau, Yap, and Puerto Rico. He had the privilege of diving with Mr. Harry Hauck in the late 80s (Mr. Jacques Custeau of the Caribbean).

Charlie made many friends with the careers and hobbies he had. He loved all the many people and walks of life that crossed his path. If you knew him, everyone knew all the many dear friends he loved. It was important to him his friends knew they were special to him. If you needed anything, Charlie was always there.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Otnott of nearly 20 years, his daughter, Julie Williams and grandson Ezekiel. His brother Steven Otnott (Cheryl), his sister Cynthia Otnott-Bordes (Roger), uncle, nephew, niece, cousins, and the many friends he met throughout his life.

He is predeceased by his parents Elsie & Charles Otnott, Jr. and his four-legged fur buddies – Sybel, who he lost during hurricane Katrina and later Jack Daniels “Jack”.

Services will be held at Riemann Family Funeral Homes, 274 Beauvoir Rd., Biloxi, MS 39531, visiting hours will be from 11 A.M. to 12 P.M., Monday, October 21, 2024 and services start at 12 P.M.

The funeral burial will follow with Military Honors at the Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave Biloxi, MS 39531 for 1:30 P.M.

 WD5BJT signing off.

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