There is a photo with the online story -- I never met him, and of course he doesn't look anything like what I pictured. http://www.zwire.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsid=12663230&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=50 6066&rfi=6 County's historian dies at 75 By John Toler 08/10/2004 Friends, colleagues and fellow history lovers gathered Monday morning at the Marshall Baptist Church to say farewell to Fauquier native son and master historian John Kenneth Gott, who died Aug. 4 at a Fairfax Hospital due to complications from lymphoma. Mr. Gott was born in Fairfax on April 24, 1929, into a family that could trace its roots in Fauquier County back to the 1700s. While his long career as a teacher and librarian was spent in Northern Virginia, his heart never left Fauquier County, where he maintained a second home and was an influential presence most of his life. "To the people of our county -- and more specifically, the people of Marshall -- John often served as our standard bearer," said Fauquier Heritage Foundation President Bob Sinclair in his eulogy. "He loved this town and the community around it with a passion ... his supreme joy was talking about the people and events of this area." Master historian Mr. Gott served on the Fauquier Bicentennial Committee in 1959, and at the time of his death was on the committee currently planning the county's 250th anniversary in 2009. Among his accomplishments were writing or co-authoring a dozen history books, and producing countless articles and primary research works. Over the years, Mr. Gott accumulated a large collection of one-of-a-kind books, photos and other memorabilia. In order to preserve the collection and make it available to the public, he helped establish the Fauquier Heritage and Preservation Foundation in Marshall in 1993. After several years in a small building on Route 55, the foundation moved to the site of the historic Upper Goose Creek Baptist Church on U. S. 17 in Marshall. On May 30, 2003, the foundation dedicated the John Kenneth Gott Library in the old sanctuary. Anyone involved in the study of local history eventually encountered Mr. Gott -- who always willingly shared his knowledge -- or used his writings, which were meticulously researched and carefully documented. "His standards in research and writing were the same as those standards that guided him in life -- honesty, thoroughness and accuracy," said Sinclair. Devoted churchman John Gott was a lifelong member of the Marshall Baptist Church. He was remembered by local pastor Sam Jones as a compassionate, caring Christian and a humble man, in spite of his many accomplishments. "John earned his Ph.D., but very few people knew it," said Jones. "Now, how many people do you know like that?" The Rev. Reed Brown, pastor of the church in Arlington where Mr. Gott frequently attended services, recalled instances when Mr. Gott approached him about a member of the community who was in need. "John would ask me, 'Well, what are we going to do about it?,' " said the Rev. Reed. "He always got results." Love of books That John Gott would become a librarian seemed pre-ordained. Cousin Virginius "Jim" Bowen, of The Plains recalled that when the boys were young, they would listen to the radio -- shows like Dick Tracy, and other serial dramas. Not content just to listen, young "Johnny" sought out the comic book versions of the stories, starting his first library "collection." Years later, when Bowen brought his young daughters to visit Mr. Gott, they were impressed by his collection of books. Bowen credits his cousin with sparking his children's first interest in reading. "Johnny told my daughters, 'Find a book that you like and take it home with you. It's yours,' " recalled Bowen. "Over the years, they came back to John's library many times." Bowen also recalled his cousin's military service. "Johnny had earned a bachelor of science degree in library science, and when the Army was deciding where to send him, they saw he had a 'science' degree and, without considering what it was for, put him in the Chemical Corps." While stationed in Alabama, then-Pvt. Gott made the most of his spare time, going to libraries and researching the old cemeteries. A loss -- and a legacy Along with his family, the death of John Gott will be especially felt by those kindred spirits in the small local history community. There will be a great void now, but all realize that the work must go on. In his eulogy, Sinclair sought to convey the measure of the man, and provide closure. "John ... had the profound belief that God had presented him with a talent that he was obliged to share with his fellow man," said Sinclair. "We celebrate in the knowledge that he now rests in the palm of the Master's calming hand." ©Times Community Newspapers 2004 Reader Opinions Post your opinion and share your thoughts with other readers! Name: John Tuohy Date: Aug, 12 2004 Thank you for devoting so much space for a story about John Gott. I had the opportunity to run across John in many contexts, during my time with Fauquier County government and, by amazing coincidence, when I bought a house across the street from him in Arlington. My wife and I frequently would stop and chat with him (and his dogs) during our walks through the neighborhood. Although he could boast significant intellectual achievement, he remained modest and approachable. Fauquier will miss him, and, rest assured, Arlington has suffered a loss as well.