Obituary for Joseph Don Zotter, Sr.
Joseph Don Zotter, Sr., 75, of Canyon, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 22, 2022 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church with Father Scott Raef as Celebrant.
Joseph was born on December 27, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to Hugo John and Charlotte (Berzowski) Zotter. He received his master’s degree from Texas A&M University in College Station and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as a corpsman in the Vietnam War, receiving a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Service Medal with a Bronze Star, and a National Defense Service Medal. He married Juanita Thacker at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Houston on July 1, 1967. Joseph worked for cancer research, biological research, and energy engineering production companies throughout his career and was a member of Environmental Scientists of America. He was also a lifelong, dedicated member of the Roman Catholic Church. He enjoyed coaching various swim, soccer, and baseball teams, even before his children were old enough to participate. He was known for his immensely green thumb and loved planting trees and volunteering at Reeves-Hinger Elementary School teaching gardening and agriculture to the students.
Joseph adored his grandchildren and family. He loved hunting, especially deer, quail and geese. He will be lovingly remembered for being so kind, thoughtful, patient and considerate.
Joseph is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, James Allen and Michael Jon Zotter. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Nita Zotter of Canyon; his daughter, Niki Zotter of Colorado; his son, Joe Zotter and wife, Brenda of Canyon; four grandchildren, Brittany Marie Zotter, Caden Alan Zotter and wife, Kelley, Benjamin Alec Zotter, and Meredith Grace Zotter; great-granddaughter, Adaline Elizabeth; and his many friends and loving community of the Village of Timbercreek Canyon.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Timbercreek Garden Club in support of the Texas Panhandle War Memorial, 210 Timbercreek Dr., Amarillo, TX 79118.
Joseph was born on December 27, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to Hugo John and Charlotte (Berzowski) Zotter. He received his master’s degree from Texas A&M University in College Station and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as a corpsman in the Vietnam War, receiving a Vietnam Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Service Medal with a Bronze Star, and a National Defense Service Medal. He married Juanita Thacker at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Houston on July 1, 1967. Joseph worked for cancer research, biological research, and energy engineering production companies throughout his career and was a member of Environmental Scientists of America. He was also a lifelong, dedicated member of the Roman Catholic Church. He enjoyed coaching various swim, soccer, and baseball teams, even before his children were old enough to participate. He was known for his immensely green thumb and loved planting trees and volunteering at Reeves-Hinger Elementary School teaching gardening and agriculture to the students.
Joseph adored his grandchildren and family. He loved hunting, especially deer, quail and geese. He will be lovingly remembered for being so kind, thoughtful, patient and considerate.
Joseph is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, James Allen and Michael Jon Zotter. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Nita Zotter of Canyon; his daughter, Niki Zotter of Colorado; his son, Joe Zotter and wife, Brenda of Canyon; four grandchildren, Brittany Marie Zotter, Caden Alan Zotter and wife, Kelley, Benjamin Alec Zotter, and Meredith Grace Zotter; great-granddaughter, Adaline Elizabeth; and his many friends and loving community of the Village of Timbercreek Canyon.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Timbercreek Garden Club in support of the Texas Panhandle War Memorial, 210 Timbercreek Dr., Amarillo, TX 79118.