1972

santaclaramag@gmail.com

John William Otter M.S. ’72 joined his beloved Elda in eternal rest, October 14, 2016. He met Elda, his lifelong sweetheart, at Roseville High School. They shared 6 decades together, giving life to 3 children David (Leticia), James (Anne), and Diane (Richard), 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. John is also survived by his beloved sister and friend, Anne Woods, and several nieces and nephews. In a life characterized by hard work and service, John worked for the railroads as a young man, spent two years in the Navy, worked for the Post Office as a letter carrier, graduated from Sac State, and then began a 38 year career as a Math teacher at El Camino High School, occasionally teaching at American River College. At El Camino he was also a Drivers Ed instructor, union steward, and frequent volunteer at sports games, and JROTC outings. He also earned a master’s Degree from Santa Clara University. John was an usher for many years at Our Lady of the Assumption. After retiring, John spent much of his time helping his best buddies on construction jobs, and was a 20-year volunteer for the Sac County Flu Clinic. John loved to spend time gardening and working in the yard. He trimmed his trees so his grandkids could climb them more easily. John loved the outdoors, and was always up for a road trip to the very end. He and Elda enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, and around the Caribbean. 

08 Nov 2018