GUERNSEY – Funeral liturgy for Johnny Richard “Oats” Otero, 71, were held Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Guernsey, Wyo. with Father Andrew Duncan as the celebrate. A vigil for the deceased was held Friday, May 31, 2019, at the Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church led by Mary and Pete Martinez. Military honors were accorded by Lake Guernsey VFW Post #4471, J.J. Webb American Legion Post #95, and Wyoming National Army Guard funeral honors immediately followed the funeral mass.
Johnny Otero passed away Friday, May 24, 2019, surrounded by his loving family and friends in Guernsey, Wyoming.
Johnny was born Tuesday, June 24, 1947, in Torrington, the son of Manuel and Esther (Martinez) Otero.
Johnny’s long battle with cancer finally took his life. The cancer may have taken his life, but he fought it to the very end.
Johnny was raised in Hartville, Wyo., the oldest of five children. Family was the most important thing in the world to Oatsy, besides hunting, golfing, fishing, and fly tying.
Oatsy signed himself up for the Vietnam War, where he received a Purple Heart. After the war he suffered severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What he didn’t accomplish as a dad, he made up ten times as a grandfather. He was the best grandpa ever and will be missed every day, but never forgotten. We will not let his memory fade. My dad was my hero, my heart, and the heart of our family. I know we will all do our best to make him proud and he is watching down on us. I love you daddy-o.
Serving as pallbearers were Justin Lake, Luke Osmera, Seth Osmera, Chris Orr, Travis Gretch, and Eric Otero. Honorary pallbearers were Ray Martinez, Doc Jeffries, and Lenny Hava.
Oatsy was preceded in death by his mother and father, Esther and Manuel “Shorty”; younger brother Tommy “Mouse” Otero; first wife, Ellen; daughter, Angell Martinez; and grandchildren, Carlos, Angell, and Anastasia Lake.
Oatsy is survived by his wife of 20 years, Donna Otero; daughter, Summer Otero-Lake; son-in-law, Justin Lake; son, Johnny E. Otero; and eight grandchildren, including Seth and Lukas Osmera, Jackson and Ellie Otero, Emma Rose Pillar, Samantha “Sammy” Pillar, Justin and Johnny “JJ” Lake, and Holden.
A memorial to the American Cancer Society-Wyoming, 333 South Beech Street, Casper, WY 82601; or to the Wound Warriors Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516; or to the Johnny Richard Otero Memorial Go Fund Me, www.gofundme.com can be made in Oats name.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland, Wyo. is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
