A Mass of Christian Burial for James C. Otto, 86, of Granville, will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 15, 2023, with Fr. David Sizemore as celebrant. Calling hours will be held in the Adoration Chapel of the church from 9:30-10:45 A.M., prior to the service on Saturday. For those attending services, parking is available behind the church and is only accessible from 5 ^th Street. A handicap ramp is also accessible from this same lot.

Jim, (also known as BB to his family), a United States Army Veteran, died at Otterbein Granville on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 11, 1937, to the late Joseph Costello and Viola (Crandell) Otto.

Jim received his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.  While working in Baton Rouge, Jim met Cathy, the love of his life, and they were married in 1965. Several years later, they moved to Newark, where he worked for many years with Owens Corning Fiberglas and then the Nestle Corporation, eventually retiring from AVCA as a private contractor. In Newark, Jim and Cathy's great love story grew to include their children, their Godson, many foster children, and their first grandchild. Jim was a loving father to them all.

A man of great faith, Jim was devoted to his Catholic faith and attended Mass daily. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Fruit of the Vine Prayer Group and served as a Eucharistic Minister during Mass and for the homebound as well.  He lived his faith as a servant to his local community.  Through the works of St. Vincent de Paul, he helped countless individuals find temporary housing and he was active with the Haven House and Food Pantry. Jim also found great meaning in volunteering with Licking County Jail Ministries.

As a native of New Orleans, Jim enjoyed jazz and loved to share the traditions of Mardi Gras with his family. He was an outdoors enthusiast and never missed a chance to go sledding, first with his children and then with his grandchildren, enjoy a hike or a bike ride, roller skate, horseback ride, or show off his skills on the boogie board. He was a lifetime fan of Notre Dame and enjoyed playing cards and board games with the greatest loves of his life, his family.

He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 58 years, Catherine (Spohrer) Otto; his children: James C. (Julie Daniels) Otto, Karen Otto, Michael (Patti Jo) Otto, and Kimberly (Joel) Causey; 5 grandchildren: Catherine (Joseph) Whitney, Joseph and Alexandra Otto, and Michael and Lucy Otto; great-granddaughter, Hazel Whitney; sister, Katherine Danforth; sister-in-law, Rosemary Otto; Godson, Danh (Joann) Nguyen; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Costello Otto and, brother-in-law, George Danforth.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Jim's name be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Center, 135 Wilson Street, Newark, Ohio 43055.

REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark is assisting the family with arrangements. To share your memory of Jim, or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.