Jonathan Daniel Mott - Walker Funeral Home

Jonathan (Jon) Daniel Mott was born March 11, 1968, in Spokane, Washington to Glenn and Colleen Mott. He lived in Spokane until his senior year of high school when he moved to Lindon, Utah and graduated from Pleasant Grove High School. That move was crucial for him, although he did not know it, Kim started high school that year as a sophomore. Spoiler Alert ***(They did not meet in high school-he was way too cool for her 😊, he was in P.U.) He started attending Brigham Young University before serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Japan Kobe Mission from 1987-1989.

When Jon returned from his mission, he finally met the beautiful woman, Kim Southam, who became his forever girlfriend on August 15, 1989, their first date. On that date, they felt like they’d known each other forever. They were married on November 22, 1989, in the Salt Lake City Temple. In 1990 they welcomed their son, Alex Mott, and 1992 Vallerie joined their family before moving to Oklahoma for Jon to complete his PhD in Political Science. While in Oklahoma, they welcomed two more daughters, Stephanie, and Emilie. Shortly after Emilie’s birth, the Mott crew moved back to Utah and added Mikey McClain to their clan. Their home was a constant place of refuge for friends, family, and anyone who needed a safe place to be. All are welcome here.

Jon was a professor at BYU and a political scientist at heart, always up for a good debate on policy, power, and how to fix a broken system. That same fire fueled his workforce development work, a pioneer in ed tech who built real career pathways with tribal nations and communities too often passed over. He rarely worked without music playing (mostly 80’s new wave), wore his love of purple like a badge of honor, and treated every cause he believed in like it was personal, because to Jon, it always was.

Jon was known for being warm, eccentric, humble(ish), generous, creative, kind, and so much more. He served as a bishop and high counselor, was involved in political activism, and loved working with startups and began his own, Aspire Ability. He cared deeply for his family; he spent many hours making sure his kids and grandkids knew how much they meant to him and how much they were loved. He loved music (80 alternative rock primarily) but evolved with the times and would always be looking for more artists to listen to. He also loved art, photography, dogs, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Dr. Who, Harry Potter (Gryffindor of course), Brandon Sanderson, and was a self-proclaimed geek of all varieties.

Jon was joyfully reunited with his parents Glenn and Colleen, brother-in-law Brad Simon, and nephews Scotty Ford and Adam Mott on August 3, 2026; as well as, his beloved St. Bernards, Gimli, Strider, and Zorba. His legacy lives on in his wife of 37 years, the love of his life, Kim, their children Alex (Catherine), Michael McClain, Vallerie (Brenda), Stephanie DeHart (James), and Emilie Broadhead (Jacob); their six grandchildren (with the youngest always wanting umppa more than umpma), Jon’s siblings, Terry (Lisa), Darcy (Jo), Greg (Marlene), Denise, Joe (Ellen), Cindy Alldredge (Jody), Aaron (Teresa), Lisa Ford (Derin), and Judy Simon (Brad).

A song from Jon to Kim to commemorate their 37th wedding anniversary.

Click below.

Jon’s time with us was way too short. It’s been unbelievable to see how many lives he has touched in his 58 years of life. If you were with him, he shared his genuine love, gave unconditional kindness, demonstrated how to bridge gaps and how we can treat others with these positive attributes. Everyone who has been touched by his goodness will remain forever in our hearts. He will be missed daily, hourly, and every second.

“If you can’t run, you walk.

If you can’t walk, crawl.

If you can’t do that… then find someone to carry you”

– Malcolm Reynolds, Firefly

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 608 West 1400 South in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

Share Now

8 Condolences for Jonathan Daniel Mott

Condolences(8)

Christopher Kienle says

August 6, 2026 at 2:20 am

Seeing this news just twisted my heart until it couldn’t bleed anymore. I worked with Jon at TD Ameritrade/Investools. We stayed friends since. While we didn’t have many interactions since that time, I always loved his smile, his positivity, and his unique personality and love for colorful shirts and bowties. I will always remember him for the good man he was. And my heart breaks for his family and everyone who loved him.

See you on the other side. Rest easy, brother…

Kenneth and Kathy Shaw says

August 6, 2026 at 5:47 pm

We are so sorry to hear of Bishop Mott’s passing. Our prayers are with the Mott family.

Shad Satterthwaite says

August 7, 2026 at 12:32 pm

We have so many fond memories of Jon and the Mott family. We moved to Oklahoma to attend OU at the same time Jon and Kim arrived with their family. Jon and I went through the PhD program in political science together with Jeff Fox, another BYU graduate. Our families quickly became friends, and those years remain very special to us.

Jon was one of the sharpest students in our group. As a Carl Albert Fellow, he had a remarkable understanding of politics, and he became a peer mentor to me. He was someone whose insight and perspective I greatly respected. He was also ahead of his time in recognizing the potential of technology. During the tech boom of the 1990s, Jon was always finding ways to incorporate new technology into his work and into the classroom. I still remember him designing one of the first campaign websites I had ever seen for a friend running for the state legislature. That combination of curiosity, intelligence, and willingness to try something new was very much Jon.

But some of our best memories have little to do with school or politics. Our kids grew up alongside the Mott kids, and when money was tight during graduate school, we found our own solution to the cost of babysitters: Jon and Kim and my wife and I would take turns watching each other’s children so the other couple could have a date night. We would often get together as families for dinners and games. Those simple times together became some of the memories we treasure most.

Jon and Kim were always thoughtful, kind, and willing to serve others. They had wonderfully laid back personalities, nothing ever seemed to rattle them. They were just fun people to be around. Jon brought intelligence, humor, generosity, and friendship into our lives, and I will always be grateful that our paths crossed at OU.

Our hearts are with Kim, the Mott children, and the entire family. We will remember Jon with great affection and gratitude, and we will always cherish the years when our young families grew up together.

Andy Gates says

August 8, 2026 at 12:16 am

Oh my goodness. I am so sad to hear this news. My deepest condolences to Jon’s family. I had the pleasure of working with Jon in EdTech. He was academic, design, and vision expert with instant credibility with clients with his modesty and charm he was a golden bullet in every customer conversation. One particular memory that stands out is after a very successful client meeting we had a considerable drive to the airport. Jon and our other colleague suggested we stop for ice cream to celebrate – best cone I ever had!! We parted ways as our professional journeys diverged. We stayed in touch on social platforms, and it was Jon who created a Civil Discourse channel during the polarizing dark days of Covid. Discussion and debate was genuine but civil. What a guy. You will be missed my friend. God bless.

Matt and Tuzie Despain, and family says

August 10, 2026 at 4:07 pm

Oh goodness, this leaves a hole in my heart and some tears too. Then I reflect on Jon’s life well lived, his friendship, and the smiles return.

Jon and the Mott clan were part of a wonderful collective of grad student/families that converged on the University of Oklahoma in the early 1990s and together we carved out incredible memories and friendships. Jon was a sharp intellect, a Carl Albert Fellow, and I was always in awe. Beyond the bonding from grad school rigger we shared many a Saturday morning playing flag football. We’d come away bruised, sometimes bloody, but always smiling and ready to start our recovery at Braums (it’s an Oklahoma thing). Just about every holiday our families got together, stoked the coals, and grilled in the local park. Grilled meat, flames, families, and fun! Those make for some great memories. So too will I cherish our times in Washington D.C., at Geezerfest (old rockers never truly die), and visiting the Shire where I got my first dose of MUSE.

More recently we started working together on how to strengthen “Indian Country.” Jon’s ability and ability to mesh academics and learning with technology in crafting paths for uplifting others was merely a reflection of the goodness he sought to apply his talents to achieving. His love and empathy for others was off the charts. I wish we were able to do more.

Me and Tuzie’s hearts are with Kim and the family. Our lives are far better having Jon in it to be sure. Love you my friend. Thanks for the goodness and the memories.

John Fritz says

August 10, 2026 at 5:28 pm

Tough day. Thank you for providing the live stream and (eventually) Jon’s play list. Can’t wait. RIP, friend.

Karen M. Kedrowski says

August 17, 2026 at 8:29 pm

I first met Jon as a graduate student at Oklahoma. He was just starting his career and I showed up from DC to write my dissertation. We became fast friends. I enjoyed Jon, Kim, and their (then toddler) children. I’m so glad we reconnected via social media where I read his Dad jokes and enjoyed his piercing and insightful observations. Jon is gone too soon. May all you who love Jon — and especially Kim and kinder — be comforted by many joyful memories and the promises of your faith.

Ryan Erickson says

August 18, 2026 at 7:43 am

I only met Jon a little over a month ago, at Utah Burger Club at Provo Burger. Jon introduced himself and Jon discussed quite a bit about some of the work he was doing with Tribal entities. It was interesting. Nice guy, sorry for your loss.

Jonathan Daniel Mott March 11, 1968 - August 3, 2026

Visitation

Visitation

Funeral Service

Interment

8 Condolences for Jonathan Daniel Mott