Paul Ray Otto
Paul Ray Otto, of DeWitt, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on his 61st birthday, October 17, 2018, at home surrounded by his loved ones after a courageous battle with ALS. He was born October 17, 1957, in Lansing, Michigan, to Richard and Lorayne Otto. Paul graduated from the University of Michigan in 1980 with a degree in education. Go BLUE! After teaching in Weslaco, Texas, he earned his CPA and began a career in accounting. He held positions at Price Waterhouse Coopers and Tecumseh Products before Investing 24 years at Auto-Owners Insurance Group and retiring in 2016 as the Vice President, Accounting and Premium Collections.
Paul embodied the quote, “The man who loves his job never works a day,” because of how he enjoyed connecting with people and positively impacting others. Spending time on a golf course, bettering his game and encouraging others, was one of his favorite past times. In his final years, he was moved by how God brings people together to create a community and fellowship of Christ’s love. He was motivated to use his life to share that love with those around him and inspire them to do the same. He devoted his life to his family and cherished his roles of husband, father, and grandfather-“Papa.”
Paul was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Otto, Jr., and two grandsons, Paul and Clark Kueppers. He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Carol Otto, his four daughters, Jennifer (Matthew) Sunderlin, Heather (Andrew) Tracy, Melissa (Brandon) Creamer, Rochelle (Michel) Kueppers, his nine grandchildren, Victoria, Thomas, and Abigail Sunderlin, Bronson, Eloise, and Otto Tracy, Charles and Emerson Creamer, and Lucille Kueppers, both of his parents, Richard and Lorayne Otto, sisters, Luanne (Mark) Stilwell, and Lorie (Keith) Krebs, sisters-in law Nancy Otto, Karen Navarra, brother-in-law Michael (Bernie) Harmon, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw, Lansing, MI 48933, on Sunday, October 21, 2018, from 2:00pm-5:00pm, and Monday, October 22, 2018, from 11:00am-1:00pm, and 5:00pm-7:00pm. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at 11:00am, at Trinity Church, 3355 Dunckel Rd., Lansing, MI 48911. If you would like to honor Paul’s life, both he and the family would appreciate memorial contributions be made to ALS of Michigan or ALS Clinic of the University of Michigan Hospital.
19 Messages to “Paul Ray Otto”
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Denise and Jim Anderton
October 18, 2018 at 5:16 pmPaul, – You are the epitome of goodness, kindness, and resiliency. Go in peace with the understanding that those who knew you share a deep respect for all the values you represented. Safe travels, wonderful man.
Tom and Deb Kirchen
October 18, 2018 at 7:41 pmYou all are great a tribute to your parents life and love! Paul lived a life that is respected. Tom and I are here if you need anything
Terri and Allan Clark
October 18, 2018 at 8:05 pmSo sorry for your loss, but grateful for the blessed assurance that Paul is alive with Christ, free from ALS and loving you still.
Erron Sparks
October 18, 2018 at 8:46 pmI had the pleasure of reporting to Paul when he was President of the Life Company. He was truly a kind, honest and fair man. He always had a smile on his face. Paul had a wisdom beyond his years. He was very proud of his family. I pray for all of you to find peace as you grieve. God bless you.
Mary McMahan
October 18, 2018 at 9:08 pmCarol, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The strength, courage and love that you all shared was such an example for all.
Brian and Mary McMahan
Tim and Robin Koenigsknecht
October 18, 2018 at 9:23 pmTim and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Paul was a great, faith filled man. We always enjoyed our conversations with him. Our prayers for your family. He is at peace now. Heaven has gained another Angel!
Connie Swaynie
October 18, 2018 at 10:42 pmI had the pleasure, privilege, honor and blessing of working with him in Life Company. He was a wonderful man and a leader whom I admired and respected greatly. He was sincere and genuine and he always had a smile. He cared about us and our families. He walked in the character of Jesus and I will never forget him. Thank you Paul!!
Kim
October 18, 2018 at 10:49 pmPaul was loved by all he came in contact with. His smile and humor made it a true good day at work. He was an inspiration to me and my family! He was a very proud dad and papa. The adoration he had for Carol and his family was idealized by many! He truely will be missed and my prayers will continue for for the entire family! God bless you all
Angie Jones
October 19, 2018 at 8:38 amI had the honor of meeting you and your wonderful family. I certainly wasn’t there as much as I would have liked but you are such an amazing man with such a big heart and a twinkle in your eye. You by far are one of the most amazing men I’ve ever known. I always enjoyed talking with you & Carol. Your time on earth is over, but your memory will carry on with each person who knew you. May you love your days free with God and know you were and are loved by many. Godspeed my friend. May God lead Carol & your daughters through the upcoming times and grant them comfort. Praying for you all. I will surely miss you.
Dawn Hein
October 19, 2018 at 10:54 amPaul was a pleasure to work with at Auto-Owners. He was humble, grateful for knowing co-workers and a Christ centered man. My heart goes out to his family, Dick and Loryane and anyone who knew him. May he rest in peace with the Lord. He will be greatly missed.
Doug Twigger
October 19, 2018 at 11:13 amTo the family, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked at Auto Owners in Missouri for 28 years but knew Paul when I visited the Home Office and worked with Paul from afar on several accounts. Paul was always kind and gracious. He was a fair man and always did the right thing. He will be missed.
Tammy Warrington
October 19, 2018 at 5:07 pmLove and Prayers Carol and entire family
Sandy Klusack
October 19, 2018 at 7:13 pmCarol and family, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Frank & Grace Mediati
October 20, 2018 at 9:16 amCarol, Lorie, and Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Frank & Grace Mediati
Christopher & Maryann Janis
October 20, 2018 at 10:49 amIt was truly an honor to have known Paul. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Paul’s family and friends. You will be missed!
Beth Rzepecki
October 20, 2018 at 2:33 pmDear Carol and family,
Paul was a wonderful man. You all will be in my daily prayers.
God bless,
Beth Steadman Rzepecki
Amanda Criner
October 22, 2018 at 10:23 amMay God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. It was a pleasure to care for Paul. ~Amanda Criner Grace Hospice Office Manager
Bob and Jan Buchanan
October 22, 2018 at 10:44 amCarol and family,
We loved Paul dearly. Paul was a real blessing to us and to many others. It is an honor to have worked with Paul at Auto-Owners, to have been Paul’s golf partner, and to have had Paul as my great friend! I loved to kid Paul about our golf games, accounting, and UM versus MSU football and basketball games. Paul’s impact at Auto-Owners was huge in so many different ways. I admired Paul greatly for his love of God, family, and friends. Our 2014 trip together along with Kim Ivory Vail to the Masters golf tournament was a dream come true. Our prayers to Carol and all of Paul’s family.
Vanessa Morrison
October 23, 2018 at 2:01 pmDear Family and Friends of Paul Otto:
Thank you for the privilege and honor of being part of his life and care. He touched our lives in a very special way and brought a smile to our faces with each encounter we had with him.
Paul will be missed and fondly remembered.
Blessings to you and yours,
Vanessa Morrison- Grace Hospice Branch Director