Paul was a great man - with an abundance of love for his family, his country, and his fishing. Born on September 15, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois; he was the first of two sons to John and Mary Otte. Paul graduated from Lemmon High School (SD) in 1949. He proudly served his country as a Seabee in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954. Following his service in the Korean War, Paul attended college in Aberdeen, SD, where he met the love of his life, Artis Fuller. Soon after, they moved to Brookings, SD, and Paul completed his engineering degree. Throughout his successful 30 year government career as an engineer for the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and Arizona Department of Transportation, Paul and his family lived in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Arizona. When Paul retired, he and his wife Artis spent the next 19 years traveling in their beloved fifth wheel trailer. You could find him every summer along the Missouri River in South Dakota, fishing with Artis for his favorite Walleye. Paul meant so much to so many, and seized every opportunity to share a fond memory, have a good conversation, or enjoy a family dinner. He was blessed with a strong family bond, and a loving marriage of 61 years.
Left to cherish his memory are wife Artis of Glendale, daughter Cheryl (Ken) Seering of Dewey, AZ, son Brian (John Connley) of St. Francis, WI, granddaughter Amber (Jesse) McBain and great granddaughter Rylie McBain of Litchfield Park, AZ and brother Bill (Janet) of Sun City, AZ. Paul is preceded in death by his parents.
Services will be held on August 11, 2018, 3:00p.m., at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Chapel, 1500 W Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley Thunderbird or Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church’s Shepherd Foundation.
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