Otis Jesse Bolton, 91, of Beaumont died Sunday, November 13, 2011 peacefully at home. Born February 11, 1920 to Jesse Pierce and Tillie Peters Bolton in New Baden, TX, he was a resident of Beaumont for more than 60 years. Otis started an industrial painting company and retired in 1984. He was a longtime member of Westgate Church of Christ. Otis entered Texas A&M the fall of 1938 as a member of the Class of ?42. In 1942, he left A&M and went to work building the B-24 Consolidated Bomber soon after the U.S. entered WWII. Shortly after, he volunteered for the Air Corp Air Force cadet program. Through training at Yale University, he was promoted to engineering officer of the 716th Squadron of the 449th Group. After extended training state side, the squadron was then stationed in Grattaglia, Italy. Because of the adverse conditions and the ability to keep his aircrafts flying, Otis was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war, he chose to be honorably discharged so that he could return to A&M to continue his education but remained in the Air Force Reserves for 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He graduated in May of 1947 but not before he met the love of his life, Janice Bruecher, in September of 1945. He was smitten the first time he walked into the Exchange Book Store where she worked. She did not see him and he had a friend set them up on a blind date. They married June 2, 1947 and were married for 64 years.
In July of 1947, Jan and Otis moved to Beaumont to begin a career with Pure Oil Company. In 1958 he started his own company, Southern Painting, Inc. The relocation of his business allowed him to purchase additional land so that he could also pursue his passion for gardening. Each day at lunch he would work tirelessly weeding, watering and nurturing his vegetable garden. He retired in 1984 but continued his gardening as well as many other hobbies. Otis was a master of many skills. He built a beach house, a game room with the help of his father, built-ins for his daughters, furniture for his granddaughters, tree house for his grandson, just to name a few of his boundless abilities.
He was ?Daddy? to his daughters and affectionately called ?Saver? by his grandchildren. He was the ?greatest man? to them all who tirelessly gave of himself. He always had time for them and taught them what God?s love is all about. Of exceptional character, he was an honorable man who will be missed beyond words. His smile is permanently embedded in everyone?s memory and his love of family will be a continued legacy.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Gladyne Lumpkin and Henrietta Flanagan. He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Bolton, who he affectionately called ?Dege?; daughter, Judy Baird Goeggelman he affectionately called Oiler and husband Steve of Houston; daughter Susan Gallier he affectionately called Bell of Beaumont; grandchildren, Tiffany Baird Merenda and husband F.J. of Phoenix, AZ; Callie Gallier of Seabrook, TX; April Baird of Dallas; Cassi Gallier of Austin; Colby Baird of Houston and Mattie Gallier of Austin; his newest love, great grandson, Mason Merenda; 2 step-granddaughters, Lori Baird Eaton, husband Steve and children Lindsey Ketterer, Bailey and Brynne Eaton; Melissa Baird Clifford, husband Eric and children Jordan and Joslyn, all of Denver, CO; close family friend and loving caregiver, Myra Dural, caregiver Brenda Richard, many nieces, nephews and brother and sister-in-law Elmore and Dee Bolton of San Antonio.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Westgate Church of Christ, Beaumont, TX at 10:30 am with interment following. A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday, November 16 from 5 ? 7 pm at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont. Those serving as pallbearers are, Colby Baird, Steve Goeggelman, F. J. Merenda, Bob Thompson, Carey Fracht, Albert Robinson, Eddie Hall and Bill Cook. Also serving as honorary pallbearers are Elmore Bolton, Johnnie Thomas and Jay Riley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westgate Church of Christ, 6390 Westgate Dr., Beaumont, TX 77706.