Carl A. Otto

Carl A. Otto, 99 of Leroy, Kansas passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Carl was born in Pierce Nebraska on February 12, 1926, the second child of Clyde & Myrtle (Watson) Otto. He attended high school at Crawford Community High School of KS. He dropped out of high school to proudly serve the U.S. Army during World War II. Carl served under Patton in Germany during the Battle of The Bulge. He earned three bronze battle stars; one Presidential Citation and two Meritorious Unit Citations. Carl was a life member of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Upon his return home Carl got his GED and later Graduated from Pittsburg State University. Carl married Altha Faye McCants July 20, 1947. He started his teaching & coaching career in Walker, MO. Later went to Elk Falls, KS and then to Elsmore, KS where he spent the next 13 years coaching, teaching and eventually becoming principal and superintendent of the schools. From there Carl went to Uniontown, KS and was the high school principal for seven years, Carl finished his career at Colony, KS as Superintendent of the Crest Schools, Retiring in 1988.

Upon retirement Carl & Faye moved to the family farm where Faye was born & raised. He operated a small cattle herd until Faye passed away in 2001. Carl then moved to Pittsburg, KS after a tornado struck the family farm. Carl was a man of many talents and loved to write as he wrote & published several books. Carl was also very artistic. He did sign painting and later took up clay sculpting after moving to Leroy, KS. In his earlier years he was a handyman and mechanic at local car garages. He was a bulldozer operator, house painter, carpenter, plumber, electrician and roofer.

Carl was honored to have been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas for over 78 years. He was a life member of Neosho Lodge #27 of Leroy, KS, Black Diamond Lodge #274 of Weir, KS and Hebron Lodge #314 of Gridley, KS. He has been Master of Cherokee Lodge #119 of Cherokee, KS and Neosho Lodge #27 of Leroy, Xenia #47 & Virginia #315. He also served as District Deputy Grand Master. Carl also served many years as Scout Master, Little League Baseball coach and volunteered Redcoat at Pittsburg Hospital and member of The Bronson, KS Ruritan Club.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Wayne Otto, Walter Otto, Conard Otto, sister Aleatha Otto May, two daughter in-laws, Debbie Wilson Otto & Jonita Hunt Otto, Two grandsons, Carl William Otto & Christopher William Otto and his wife, Faye, the love of his life .Carl is survived by two sons, William "Bill" Otto & wife Phyllis of Leroy, KS and Kenny Otto & wife Diana of Mound City, KS., brother William Otto & wife Marita, Pittsburg, KS, 21 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild: many nieces and nephews and a community of dear friends and Masonic Brothers.

Memorial contributions in honor of Carl may be made to the Kansas Masonic Foundation. Donations can be sent to Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, 107 W. 6th Street, P.O. Box 43, Lebo, KS 66856.