Emmett Lloyd Rotter

Emmett Lloyd Rotter, lifelong cattleman and rancher passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025. He was born 81 years prior in Floresville, Texas on October 6, 1944, the third child of Leonard Rotter, Sr., and Rose Snoga Rotter. Raised in Poth, Texas, Emmett graduated from Poth High School in 1963. His love of cattle stemmed from his earliest days and continued throughout his life. His Simmental and Flechvieh herd was his pride and joy, only second to his nieces and nephews who he affectionately teased, prodded, and doted over all through his life. He loved his grand-nieces and nephews (the next generation of the Rotter family) who were often fascinated by him when they visited.

Emmett attracted people of all walks in life, making friends with the highest of the high and the lowest of the low. Time seemed to disappear when he was around, whether sitting on a tailgate on a county road or having a glass of iced tea in Circle G. A forever dreamer, Emmett was often seen as larger than life by those who met him. Those who knew him well recognized his stories were quite a stretch somewhere between tall tales and legends. His kindness and care were to the advantage of the most marginalized and the downtrodden. Even when that kindness was not fully respected, he carried on with the same steady grace that defined him.

Emmett was always in community, co-founding the Poth Food Pantry, carrying loads of donated commodities in the back of his pickup so that others could feed their families. Emmett supported the Wilson Area Children's Foundation (WACF) focusing on preschool and school aged children across his beloved home county. The annual Rosenberg-Rotter Cowboy Breakfast funded WACF and was organized with months of preparation, culminating in a showcase of Emmett's true cowboy cooking expertise. Everyone knew him for two things: a rock-solid handshake and that ever-present flirt.

Relationships were what mattered most to Emmett in both family and friends. Emmett kept up with a lifelong group of people, fresh in memories. His ever unique one-word answering of his phone, "RANCH," will be heard in the minds of those who loved him for all eternity. Emmett is survived by sister Elaine Rotter Opiela, sisters-in-law Janis Jendrusch Rotter and Megan Smith Rotter as well as nieces Eva Opiela Lloyd (Patrick), Summer Rotter Soule (Patrick), Jillian Rotter Seerden (Andrew), and Heidi Rotter Bismuth (Jean) and nephews, Craig Rotter, Eric Opiela (Lara), Shane Rotter (Emily), Frank Rotter (Amanda), Sterling Rotter, and Clay Rotter, closest friends and travel companions Lou and Sonia Rosenberg and daughter Sarah (Sarabelle), and his numerous grand-nieces and nephews. Emmett is preceded in passing by his dear mother and father, Rose (Snoga) and Leonard Rotter, Sr., brother, Leonard Rotter, Jr., brother, Tony Rotter, brother-in-law Emrick Opiela, and nephew Emery John Opiela. May generations of the Rotter family inherit Emmett's love of family lands and scenic views, care for people (no matter their lot in life), and his inherent and ever present quick wit.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a rosary at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Poth, Texas on Tuesday, November 25. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. with burial immediately following at Blessed Sacrament Cemetery.

Pallbearers for services are nephews Craig Rotter, Eric Opiela, Shane Rotter, Frank Rotter, Sterling Rotter, and Clay Rotter.

Honorary pallbearers are dear friends and keepers of the stories, Lou Rosenberg, Ken Stone, George Alvarez, Sr., Ken Persyn, Mike Delavan, Al Helmke, Lester West, and Clifton Zaiontz.

The entire Rotter family kindly thanks the staff of Prairie Meadows Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Good Shepherd Hospice, and Connally Memorial Hospital.