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Otto Stites Obituary
He was born on February 17, 1925 in Washington D.C. to Otto Russell and Margaret Ramseyer Stites. He attended grade school in Emporia, Kansas and graduated in 1942 from College High School, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, He attended Purdue University and graduated from Kansas University in 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and in 1951 with a Bachelor of Law degree.
He enlisted in 1943 at age 17 in the United States Marine Corps V-12 Program and spent three years on active duty during World War II, serving in the United States, Pacific Theatre and North China.. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 during the Korean War and retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Captain.
In 1953, he began the practice of law in Topeka, Kansas, with the firm of Doran, Kline, Cosgrove and Russell. From 1961 to 1969 he was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Kansas. In 1969, he was appointed Regional Counsel for the Post Office Department in Wichita, Kansas and retired from federal service in 1992.
He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Phi Delta Phi International Legal fraternity, Kansas Bar Association, University of Kansas Alumni Association, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, American Legion Post 14, Lawrence, Kansas, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Lawrence and Elks Lodge 803, Ottawa, Kansas.
He married Betty Mae Myers in Lawrence, Kansas in 1961. She died March 20, 2004. He is survived by one son, Todd Russell Stites, Los Angeles, California, one daughter, Robin Lynn Breit and her husband, Chris Breit, Lawrence, Kansas, one brother, John Stites, Manhattan, Kansas, one sister, Jane Leo, Prairie Village, Kansas and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 8, 2012 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence. Visitation will be 10 a.m. prior to the funeral service at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Lawrence Humane Society sent in care of the mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Otto Stites
Bill Pendleton
June 8, 2012
Russ, You made many wonderful contributions to the body politic, and I am sure all of those you helped along life's way are eternally grateful. Thank you for a life fulfilled.
Yours in,
--kai---
William B. Pendleton '43
Kathy Rasmussen
June 7, 2012
So sorry to hear of Russ' passing. He was a sweet man and I enjoyed spending time in conversations with him. My prayers are with the family
Mary Murphy
June 7, 2012
Sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. The Stites family will be in my prayers.
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DICK AND RUTH LOGAN
June 4, 2012
A DEAR SWEET FRIEND -- RUSS WILL BE FOREVER MISSED . BLESSINGS TO THE FAMILY.
Jack Wright
June 4, 2012
So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. We are thinking of you.
Jack and Judy Wright
Dee Jerome
June 4, 2012
Truly a wonderful person and friend. We have many memories of our times with Russ and Betty. Our deepest sympathy, Tom & Dee Jerome
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