of Little Rock, AR
October 9, 1926 - February 26, 2020
Otis Lowell Opitz, 93, of Little Rock (formerly of Benton) passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Mr. Opitz was born in Conway, AR, to the late Otis John and Nettie Beatrice (Moore) Opitz. Along with his parents, Mr. Opitz is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Anna Muriel (Landers); sister, Connie Zumwalt; and brother, Doug Opitz.
Mr. Opitz joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 & proudly served in the South Pacific during WWII earning a Coxswain, Petty Officer Third Class in a Navy LCVP Boat Pool Baker. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and Asiatic Pacific Campaign with Battle Star for Okinawa.
In 1947 Mr. Opitz earned his Pilot's License while working as a surface laborer with Reynolds Mining Corp., Bauxite. Having had an interest in engines since his youth in Conway, he became a Master Diesel Mechanic and later Supervisor on the "Deeper Heaper" - The Super Duper Bauxite Scooper, at Reynolds Mining Corp., retiring in 1988 after 44 years of service. An avid sportsman who with his sons and grandchildren enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting, especially quail hunting and training his bird dogs for many years.
Survivors include three sons, Franklin Lowell Opitz (Susan) of College Station, TX, Thomas Andrew Opitz (Joyce) of Little Rock, and Don Gus Opitz (Stacy) of Hot Springs; Barbara Treat of Little Rock; five grandchildren, Jonathan Opitz (Patty), Janelle Rogers (Ryan), Craig Opitz (Leah), Sarah Bone (Jordan) and Zach Opitz; five great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.
Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020 with the Funeral Service to follow at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel of Roller-Ballard Funeral Home with Dr. Rick Grant officiating. Serving as pallbearers are his sons, Frank, Tom and Don, and grandsons, Jonathan, Craig and Zach Opitz. Honorary pallbearers include Jordan Bone, Ryan Rogers, Wayne Landers, Wayne Burrow, Steve Landers, Rick Landers, Mac McCall, Mike Scott, Sonny Markel, & Gary Robbins. Interment with military honors at Pinecrest Memorial Park, Saline County, Arkansas will follow.
Hey guys, really sorry about the loss of your Dad!
Thinking of you during this tough time!
Dennis
So sorry for your loss. Lots of good memories!
So sorry for your loss, he will be missed.
My condolences in the passing of your father. I will miss his whistle! May God bless and comfort your family at this time.