Terry Otto
January 19, 1954 ~ March 14, 2015
Terry Lee Otto, 61, Fargo, ND passed away on March 14, 2015 at the Sanford Dialysis Center after a long illness. He was born on January 19, 1954 at Harvey, ND, the eldest son of Margaret (Koenig) and Walter Otto. He grew up on a farm north of Robinson until 1969, when the family moved to Bowdon. Terry graduated from Bowdon High School in 1972. He then attended North Dakota State School of Science and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Moorhead State.
Terry worked as an accountant in various companies, including Basin Electric in Beulah, Bismarck, and Wyoming; and Northern Pipe in Fargo. He also had an income tax/accounting business for a time.
Terry was an active member of AA for over 30 years and was a good friend and mentor to many people. He enjoyed spending time with his family. Terry loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He enjoyed life to the fullest and his sense of humor was legendary. He will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.
He is survived by his mother, Margaret; and stepfather, Richard Otto; siblings, Carol (Ken) Roeker, Duane (Pat) Otto, Sandy (Kevin) Kelly, Valerie (Steve) Tripp; brother-in-law, Dennis Friesz; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; and six aunts; and five uncles.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walter; grandparents, Christ and Olga Otto; and Eva and Henry Koenig; sisters, Joyce Otto and Faye Friesz; and three infant nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Sanford Dialysis Unit and Hospital for all the years of care they provided to Terry, and to all his close friends.
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Hello Family, this is Brenda. As you know, I loved him with all my heart. I’ll never forget the hours we spent on the phone together before our surgery. I got to see him just a week ago as he celebrated his sobriety anniversary at our meeting. He always waited after everyone left to make sure we got a hug in. There will forever be a place in my heart for him. Prayers for all of you. I’ll see you Friday.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Terry’s family and friends. Terry’s physical presence will be missed by many at the meetings around the
F-M area. He was a swell guy.
My friend, I will remember you always! The few years we worked together in Beulah were unforgettable. Your advice helped give reality to parts of my past. I thank you..
My sincerest sympathies to all the family and friends of Terry,
Terry was one of my best friends all during our years in Robinson. He was always a positive and encouraging friend and all around great person. My prayers and sympathy goes out to all those who knew and loved him. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
Tom Bon
What a great guy! I had the joy of working with Terry at the Laramie River Station in Wheatland, Wyo and Antelope Valley Station in Beulah, ND. He had a quick smile and always good words.
May the almighty comfort Terry’s family, relatives and friends.Terry was an excellent human being with a great sense of humor. I got to meet him first time in 2002 in one of the meetings. I was new to Fargo and asked him if he would take me out to get some food. He did and our friendship started. He was one person I could go to any time and he would help me out, calm me down and give me hope. We spent countless hours talking and visiting. No matter how he felt he would always pick up his phone and greet me cheerfully.
He gave freely of himself without expecting anything in return. He was my mentor and a true friend. He faced his illness with such serenity and grace and lived his life one day at a time. My dear Terry why did you leave us so soon.
My dear friend and fishing partner. Thanks to many of my aa friends for introducing my to Terry Since then we have been great fishing partners and friends. Every trip was a great aa meeting and good catch up times about daily life. Since I am in Arizona I didn’t get to see him as often but we did talk on the phone Now I wished we would have talked more often. Terry u will be greatly missed by me and many. Thanks Alongo for filling me in. Duane G
.Oh my goodness! Terry was such a good friend to me and so many others. He would talk and listen for hours. Never in a hurry. He loved his fellow AA people and they all loved him. A real model of what it should look like. He will be terribly missed. Condolences to his family.
I have many fond memories of Terry from meetings, campground and social events. He always greeted me with a smile and a hug. I so admired how he met his challenges with a positive attitude, was always willing to help others and never gave up. He will be greatly missed! Thank you Terry for sharing your experience, strength and hope. Prayers for his family.
Deepest sympathy to Terry’s family. I worked for a few years starting in 1981 with Terry in Beulah and he was always very friendly and a pleasure to visit with. RIP Terry
Oh dear Terry, You were the best and longest sponsor I had in AA. You taught me so many things,esp how to be positive and how to have fun. You helped me threw so many near drinking episodes even at 3:00 in the morning! And many years of hunting I enjoyed with you, and the campground all the fun we had. To the family of Terry who took me in when we hunted, I pray for you that you may be comforted in this time of sorrow. I look forward to seeing you on Friday.
Greatest compliment one as can give to another, “he was a attraction to the program”, and will be missed. Always smiling and willing too listen. RIP. Coffe is better up there.
Terry was a great person to have known.
Terry was one of my favorite people on our planet. His personality and character radiated from him. He seemed without guile. He was himself always, kind, caring and committed to his friends. I watched him bear his illness without ever asking for sympathy from anyone although he must have had many difficult times. I have trusted and respected few others in my life to the degree that I did Terry and I will miss him always as a wonderful friend. I hope never to forget him and his infectious laugh. Vaya con Dios, Terry!
Always a friend.
Terry, the other time I heard the news that Terry Otto pasted away, my heart fell and my soul cried. Then when I called your phone and you answered, “whew” there was relief and breath of fresh air following the Terry chuckle and long talk. For me, the 1st time I tried AA, I pushed those heavy doors of the Fargo clubhouse open and I remember your smile and attitude and thought “I want what he’s got!”. 26 yrs. later without using, I still want it! You left a footprint on my soul and 100’s more I’m sure. Thank you. RIP Terry O.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Terry’s family during their time of sorrow.
We are thankful that we knew you, your smile and attitude will be missed.
Rest in peace, Terry. Our sympathies to all of your family.
All these years later and I still miss you old friend!
I prey God is with you in Heaven, Terry, and I look forward to the day when we can meet there again!
God bless Terry Otto!