In Memory Of
John Alexander Otte
1929
2018
John Alexander Otte
August 2, 1929 — July 9, 2018
John Alexander Otte
August 2, 1929 – July 9, 2018
Born in Decatur, Alabama to Lawrence Otte and Katie Weisend Otte, he was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles Otte.
Survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Virginia Twyman Otte.
Children: Alex (Sandi), Mark (Karen), and Kim (David Harman) and "adopted" daughter, Bev Axman.
Also survived by grandchildren Amy Otte, Paige (Whitney Dutton), Lauren (Jacob Minzenberger),
Eric Otte, and Anthony Harman (Nicole), greatgrandchildren Nolan and Nora Minzenberger, Emery Dutton, and Ava and Silas Harman, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and two brothers-in-law, Wendell Twyman and Joe Sandefur.
John attended Holy Name where he was an Altar Server until shortly before his marriage. He was a 1948 graduate of St. Xavier High School and was a member of the football team until a pole vaulting injury sidelined him his senior year. He served his country in the Naval Reserve. John became a pilot and considered a career as an airline pilot but didn't want to leave his family for extended periods. As a licensed Scuba diver John taught the first Louisville Police Department scuba team in water rescue. He taught Judo and self-defense at both the YMCA and YWCA. He was an avid boater becoming a sailboat captain, and loved vegetable gardening and creating stained glass. While in Florida he joined the Knights of Columbus.
When an opportunity arose to learn pattern making, John took it, and retired from International Harvester as a Pattern Shop Superintendent after 39 years. During these years he graduated from the University of Louisville and remained an avid Cardinals fan. After IH he worked at Chrysler Foundry in Indianapolis retiring in 1995. He and Virginia then divided their time between Louisville and lake home at Rough River. They spent 17 years in Spring Hill, Florida until moving back to Louisville in 2017.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jeffrey Hargis and everyone at the Norton Cancer Institute and his Hosparus team, especially Robin.
John trusted in his deep Catholic faith and love of family and friends to guide him on his final journey.
He chose cremation and wanted everyone to remember him as a man who achieved much in life and stayed strong until the end. A Mass remembering John will take place in the fall when family and friends can gather in Louisville. Donations in his memory can be made to Hosparus of Louisville www.hosparushealth.org or Hildegard House www.hildegardhouse.org
August 2, 1929 – July 9, 2018
Born in Decatur, Alabama to Lawrence Otte and Katie Weisend Otte, he was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles Otte.
Survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Virginia Twyman Otte.
Children: Alex (Sandi), Mark (Karen), and Kim (David Harman) and "adopted" daughter, Bev Axman.
Also survived by grandchildren Amy Otte, Paige (Whitney Dutton), Lauren (Jacob Minzenberger),
Eric Otte, and Anthony Harman (Nicole), greatgrandchildren Nolan and Nora Minzenberger, Emery Dutton, and Ava and Silas Harman, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and two brothers-in-law, Wendell Twyman and Joe Sandefur.
John attended Holy Name where he was an Altar Server until shortly before his marriage. He was a 1948 graduate of St. Xavier High School and was a member of the football team until a pole vaulting injury sidelined him his senior year. He served his country in the Naval Reserve. John became a pilot and considered a career as an airline pilot but didn't want to leave his family for extended periods. As a licensed Scuba diver John taught the first Louisville Police Department scuba team in water rescue. He taught Judo and self-defense at both the YMCA and YWCA. He was an avid boater becoming a sailboat captain, and loved vegetable gardening and creating stained glass. While in Florida he joined the Knights of Columbus.
When an opportunity arose to learn pattern making, John took it, and retired from International Harvester as a Pattern Shop Superintendent after 39 years. During these years he graduated from the University of Louisville and remained an avid Cardinals fan. After IH he worked at Chrysler Foundry in Indianapolis retiring in 1995. He and Virginia then divided their time between Louisville and lake home at Rough River. They spent 17 years in Spring Hill, Florida until moving back to Louisville in 2017.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jeffrey Hargis and everyone at the Norton Cancer Institute and his Hosparus team, especially Robin.
John trusted in his deep Catholic faith and love of family and friends to guide him on his final journey.
He chose cremation and wanted everyone to remember him as a man who achieved much in life and stayed strong until the end. A Mass remembering John will take place in the fall when family and friends can gather in Louisville. Donations in his memory can be made to Hosparus of Louisville www.hosparushealth.org or Hildegard House www.hildegardhouse.org
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Alexander Otte, please visit our flower store.
Celebrating The Life Of
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