Otto Fuchs Jr.

Otto Lorenz Fuchs, Jr., 97, of Carmine, widower of Carolyn Elizabeth Rothermel Fuchs passed away peacefully on August 10, 2023 in Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Visitation will be Thursday, August 17 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM with family present from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, August 18 at 10:00 AM at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine, with Pastor David Tinker officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Burton. 

Otto L. Fuchs, Jr. was born October 25, 1925 on the family homestead in Carmine to Otto Lorenz, Sr. and Elsie Hartstack Fuchs. He was baptized on February 21, 1926 by Pastor A. H. Falkenberg at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine and was confirmed at the same church on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1939 by Pastor Henry Brunotte. On July 28, 1951, he was united in marriage to Carolyn Elizabeth Rothermel at St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Burton by Pastor E. H. Schwengel. They were blessed with 61 years of married life.

He attended LaBahia and Carmine schools and was a 1943 graduate of La Grange High School. He was inducted into the United States Army on May 18, 1944, proudly serving his country during World War II, attaining the rank of Corporal in Company I, 222nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division, 7th Army, for 26 months.  In addition to his infantry basic training, his military occupations included rifleman, armorer, and investigator/interpreter (due to being fluent in the German language).  He was awarded the European Theater Operation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Ribbon-Germany, Victory Ribbon, and three Overseas Service Bars.  In 2001, sixty years after the battle, he received a Presidential Unit Citation for participation in Operation Northwind, commonly referred to as the Battle of the Bulge. Defending their line from ice-filled foxholes, his unit assisted in holding off the German push to invade France.  His company also contributed to the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp.  While delivering a Veterans’ Day speech in 2017, Otto said, “I am honored to have been a member of the Greatest Generation and I would answer the call of duty again, if able.”

After his military service, he attended Blinn College for one year, during which he “fell” for his future bride, Carolyn, when the Blinn bus seat they were sharing broke as the driver took the railroad crossing too fast.  He graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now known as Texas A&M University, in 1950 with a B. S. in Agricultural Education.  From 1950 to 1955 he taught Veterans Vocational Agriculture classes in Round Top and La Grange.  He served as the Round Top-Carmine Vocational Ag teacher beginning in 1955 until his retirement in 1984.  During this time, he organized the Round Top-Carmine Future Farmers of America Chapter, the Round Top-Carmine Young Farmers Chapter, and the Precinct #2 Fayette County Hay Insurance Group.  His love for teaching never stopped, as he sponsored 27 adult vocational classes.  Evidence of his teaching and guidance can be seen displayed throughout the area in the homes, farms, and ranches of his successful former students. 

Otto was a faithful lifetime member of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine.  As a devoted member, he served several terms on the church council and various church committees, taught Sunday School for several years, was a church choir member for over forty years, and a member of the Men in Mission his entire adulthood.  He was a lifetime member of Quade-Werchan American Legion Post #338 of Round Top-Carmine for 80 years, serving as Commander, Adjutant, Finance Officer, and 30 years as Chaplain.  Other lifetime memberships included Texas Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, Texas State Teachers Association, and 42nd Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation.  He was also a member of the Texas A&M Former Students Association, Fayette County Retired Teachers Association, Round Top-Carmine Young Farmers Chapter, Precinct #2 Fayette County Hay Insurance Group, Washington County Genealogical Society, Texas Rose Rustlers, German Texas Heritage Society, Carmine Chamber of Commerce, and was a volunteer member of the Carmine Fire Department since 1946.  He served on the Carmine State Bank Board of Directors, Fayette County Fair Board, Fayette County Junior Livestock Show Board, Round Top-Carmine School Board, Fayette County Appraisal District Review Board, Fayette County Recycling Committee, and Fayette County Independent Cattlemans’ Association Board.

Otto’s love for the smell of fresh plowed soil led to his dedicated work in his vegetable garden, producing an abundant harvest that he happily shared with family and friends. His livestock, especially his cattle, were always well taken care of, as he checked them daily, often joined by family members.  He delighted in spending time on his John Deere tractors to care for his farm.  Being a handyman with a level eye and excellent welder, if anything on the farm or in the house needed repair, he could usually fix it himself.  He was happy to share his knowledge and talents to help others as well.

He loved his family dearly and they all brought him much joy. He enjoyed attending their special occasions and other activities and hearing about things happening in their lives.  Family time was spent enjoying his barbequed pork ribs and his farm raised fried catfish.  Otto was a very patient man, especially while shopping with his wife, two daughters, and grandchildren.  He was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and great-uncle. He will be greatly missed but is now at peace in our Father’s heavenly home.

Otto is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Carobeth and Bruce Bockhorn and Rebecca and Mark Kuecker, all of Carmine; grandchildren: Lucas and Chris Ann Stroech, Carolise and Benjamin Kelly, Dawn and Gary Bolcerek, and Clint and RaChelle Kuecker; great-grandchildren: Graceyn, Braelyn, and Kaleb Stroech, Caroleen and Zackary Kelly, Jessalynn and Jaseton Bolcerek, and Jax, Ripkyn, and Harley Kuecker; step-grandchildren, Lee Bockhorn and Laura Fiedler and their families; sister-in-law Joyce Fuchs; and numerous nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Erma Rothermel; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Dellora and Edison Manske and Shirley and J. D. Mueller, brother Howard Fuchs, and sister-in-law Nina Ellermann and her husband Henry Al. Serving as pallbearers are grandsons, Lucas Stroech, Clint Kuecker, Gary Bolcerek, and Benjamin Kelly; nephew, Stanley Manske, and great-nephew, Trent Teinert.  Honorary pallbearers are granddaughters, Dawn Bolcerek, Carolise Kelly, Chris Ann Stroech, and RaChelle Kuecker; great-nephew, Ryan Finke; members of Quade-Werchan American Legion Post #338, Carmine State Bank Board of Directors, and MLLC Men in Mission.