James Kenneth Otts

James Kenneth Otts was born to Clarence Marion Otts and Jennie Belle Tillery Otts in Oak Grove, Louisiana on February 7, 1930. He was raised in various parts of Arkansas as his father was an Assemblies of God Minister.
Attending Boys Scouts camps were some of his fondest memories, and he learned invaluable skills during those boyhood times, which determined many of his successes later in life. James graduated from Monette High School in Arkansas when he was 16, and went to Southwestern Assemblies of God Bible College in 1946, where he met Mary Lou Thayer from Carlsbad, New Mexico. During his time there, he and other college students were in the first wave of volunteer responders to the Texas City Refinery Explosion on April 16, 1947.
After a brief courtship, they married on May 23rd, 1948, in Carlsbad, NM, and then moved to Memphis, where they both worked at Sears. At that time, James attended Memphis State College, which later become Memphis State University.
After a couple of years in Memphis, they moved to Carlsbad. James always said, marrying Mary Lou and moving to Carlsbad was one of the best decisions he ever made. He and his lovely bride celebrated 76 years of marriage this past May.
He was employed by the PCA mines, until he began his own business, Otts Sheet Metal, on Main Street, which was later named Southwest Air Conditioning and Fabrication Co. (1965-1985).
James was heavily involved in his beloved church home, First Assembly of God, where he taught several classes, Sunday School, and Royal Rangers. He held several positions over the years, Board Member, Sunday School Director, Choir Director, Secretary/Treasurer, Worship Leader.
He was also Men's Ministries Leader for New Mexico, and sat on the Board of Laymen's Council for Southwestern Assemblies of God College.
James served in the New Mexico State Legislature for twelve years (1974-1986), chairing several vital committees. Following his service in the legislature and closing his business in 1985 James began his new career as a Legislative Consultant for Governmental Affairs with the Department of Energy and Westinghouse. This job took him from coast to coast and to Washington DC on a regular basis, even meeting with President Ronald Regan at the White House. During these times, he attended numerous meetings and met with leaders from all over the nation. It was through his gentle but persuasive spirit, the enjoyment of spending time with others and a passion for what he believed in that he was able to have an instrumental role in the eventual opening of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
Earlier this year James and Mary Lou Otts celebrated 76 years of marriage. James was especially proud of having a wife who was supportive in all his endeavors and was always willing to travel long miles if requested. Following his retirement in 2001, they spent much of their time at their second home in Sacramento, NM.
James was preceded in death by his mother and father, Clarence and Jennie Belle Otts, brothers-in-law "Sonny" Walter Thayer Jr., Sam Azzinaro, and Art Merritt, and son-in-law Melvin D. Suttle. His beloved wife, Mary Lou followed him closely in her death on September 30, 2024. It was always their wish to go Home together.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Frances Otts Merritt; daughters: Vicki Otts Brown and husband Ken D. Brown; Kathy Otts Suttle; Foster daughters Mary Juliana Weaver, and Sylvia Underwood Evans, sisters-in-law Annalee Thayer Azzinaro, Linda Thayer. Grandchildren: Kara D. Brown Sullivan and husband Matt Sullivan; Erik Brown and wife Jessica Luttrell Brown; Aaron M. Suttle and wife Kami Lesher Suttle; Michael D. Suttle and friend Annie Low. Great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Eli, and Aubrey Brown; Luke and Ben Sullivan; Justice, Pierce, Ryder and Eden Suttle, many loved ones, family, and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Carlsbad First Assembly, interment will follow after at Carlsbad Cemetery (New Section).
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Carlsbad 1st Assembly of God Missions Fund at 1502 W. Mermod St. Carlsbad NM 88220
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