Charles L. Ottinger, Jr.

Charles Leo Ottinger, Jr., age 90, went home to be with his Lord and his loving wife, Mary, on May 13, 2015. Charles was born to Leo and Annie Ottinger in Batesville, Arkansas on July 24, 1924. He had one brother, Jimmy.

Charles enlisted and was accepted into the Navy’s V-12 program. After graduating as a civil engineer from Southern Methodist University he attended Officer Training School in New York and was commissioned as an ensign and assigned to the Seabees Naval Construction Center, in Rhode Island. After the war he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Station in Orange, Texas. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1946.

Charles met the love of his life, Mary Dodd, in Orange and they married on June 29, 1947. He joined Brown & Root and was assigned to the post-war conversion of the Big and Little Big Inch Pipeline. They had three children, Bonnie, Linda and Tom and settled in Pasadena, Texas. In 1960, he joined Carpenter Construction Company eventually becoming the owner and starting a companion company, Mid-Gulf Industrial, specializing in marine and industrial construction along the Houston Ship Channel.

Charles and Mary raised their children to love the Lord and to realize that there were no limits in life as long as one did everything to the very best of their ability. Charles was a longtime member of Sunset Methodist Church in Pasadena where he served in many leadership roles as well as singing in the choir. Charles was also active on various committees with the City of Pasadena, many focusing on the beautification of Pasadena.

All who knew Charles thought of him as a man of high integrity and moral character with a ready smile and a huge heart for others. He was a loving husband who lived the last 17 years of his life caring for his beloved Mary as she succumbed to Alzheimer’s. Mary went to Heaven this year on January 22.

Charles had many interests including sports, music, dancing, gardening and cooking. Together with Mary, they traveled the world making many life long friends. Ballroom dancing was an enduring passion and they were an elegant couple on the dance floor. Charles and Mary are now dancing in Heaven to their favorite tune, “Could I Have This Dance for the Rest of My Life?”

When Charles turned 55 he began snow skiing—and skied every year after that until he turned 83. One of his great joys was hitting the slopes with his grandkids!

Charles is survived by three children and spouses: Bonnie Gordon and Bob; Linda Headley and Tim; and Charles Thomas Ottinger. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren and spouses: Heather Thiel and Kyle; Janna Grigorieva and Eugene; Chad Hoopingarner and Emily; Jen Amundgaard and Ben; Sean Phoenix and Krissy; and Jonathan Phoenix and Candice. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren: Olive Thiel; Kate and Callie Hoopingarner; Sophia and Dylan Amundgaard; Tyler and Charlotte Phoenix; and Nyjah and Kenai Phoenix.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 20th at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in Houston. Following the service there will be a reception at Memorial Oaks. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association of Houston.