Hugh Henry Mottern Jr.

Hugh Henry Mottern Jr., 88, of Delta, Colorado, died December 24, 2024 at 3:16am at Delta Health Hospital in Delta, Colorado. Mr. Mottern was born in Colfax, Washington to Hugh Henry and Annie Margaret Mottern.  He grew up in the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Chicago areas.  He graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois in 1954.  He obtained his B.S. at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and his M.A. at the University of California at Berkeley and was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery.  He married Virginia Claire Dunlavy in 1965 in Fort Scott, Kansas.  They lived in Wichita, Kansas, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana and 29 years in the Denver, Colorado area before moving to Cedaredge in 2005.  They moved to Delta in 2012.  He was a geologist and technical manager with  the Mobil Oil Corporation for 30 years until his retirement in 1992.

His many hobbies included 4-wheeling, gardening, cooking, photography, music, genealogy and nature.  He was a volunteer park ranger at South Platte Park, Littleton, Colorado for five years.  He enjoyed being a husband, father and grandfather.  

Survivors include his  wife of 58 years, Virginia Claire Mottern; daughter, Julie Carol Mottern of Eckert, Colorado; son, Derrick Hugh Mottern and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Nicholson Mottern of Scio, Oregon; and grandsons, Taylor Hugh Mottern and Joshua Franklin Mottern of Scio, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jane Juanelle Crump.

At his request, there will be no services.  Following cremation a private family service will be held at a later date in Jonesborough, Tennessee.  In lieu of flowers, please contribute, in his name, to HopeWest of Delta or a charity of your choice.