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Butch never met a stranger, and his circle of friends grew over the years.

John Howard "Butch" Mort, age 85, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2026 at Bayside of Poquoson. He was born on Langley Air Force Base, and was a lifelong resident of Hampton, graduating from Hampton High School in 1959. Butch never met a stranger, and his circle of friends grew over the years.

Butch had a passion for racing. He raced small, single-person outboard hydroplanes in The Mill Creek races and raced his light blue '63 Chevy on the streets of Hampton and York County.

Butch served in the United States Army and served in Vietnam. He worked 42 years at Newport News Shipbuilding, retiring in 2001 as a General Foreman. He was honored as a Master Shipbuilder.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde O. Mort and Elsie C. Mort, and his brother Clyde O. Mort, Jr. He is survived by his wife Janice Knight Mort. Butch and Janice were married 59 years.

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He was honored as a Master Shipbuilder.

The family will receive friends 3:30-5:00 PM Thursday, November 5, 2026, at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. A graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Friday at Parklawn Memorial Park.

The family is not receiving friends at the home.

Arrangements are in the care of R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23669.