Lewis Lee Otipoby

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Lewis Lee Otipoby, 80, Neosho, died Nov. 29, 2015, following a lengthy illness. He was born Jan. 8, 1935 in the Indian Hospital in Lawton, Okla., the son of Leonard Lewis and Evalee (King) Otipoby. Lewis served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, retiring as a captain in 1974. During that time, he was stationed throughout the United States and abroad. Following his retirement from the military, he obtained his teaching certificate and worked as a substitute teacher for 20 years. He was a member of the American Legion No. 431 and was half Comanche Indian and was a member of the Comanche Tribal Roll. He enjoyed raising registered dairy goats along with his wife and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He especially loved his special lap friend, Dora. Lewis married Rowena D. Elbrader and they celebrated 56 years of marriage, she survives. Also surviving are seven children, Cynthia Otipoby; Candace Copley and husband, Michael; Sandra Otipoby and husband, Dwight; Lenda Allen, who was adopted from Taiwan at the age of 5 months and 9 days old, and husband, Brad; and triplets, Kevin Otipoby and wife, Kerrie; Keith Otipoby and wife, Dena and Kendra Edwards and husband, Justin; one brother, Clyde (Leland) Otipoby and wife, Patty; 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Lewis is preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Robin Otipoby; a sister, Norma Gallindo and a brother, Jack Otipoby. Services will be held Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Clark Funeral Home in Neosho with Greg Snow officiating. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kan., with full military honors. Serving as pallbearers will be Keith Otipoby, Kevin Otipoby, Clyde Otipoby, Brad Allen, Dale Privett and Robert Jackson. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Lewis may be made to the American Legion No. 431, in care of Clark Funeral Home, P.O. Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850. The family would like to extend their appreciation to Spring River Christian Village for the special care that was given.

To Read More
Subscribe Sign In
Continue reading with a subscription
Subscription options