Otis Plato Lutz

Otis Plato Lutz stepped out of his bodily shell and into eternity Sunday, September 21, 2025.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, September 29, 2025 at Chester Memorial Gardens with Rev. James Curran officiating.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Capers Chapel Church.

He was a Godly man. He led by example of how to love your neighbor. As a firm believer in The Trinity, he had a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit.

Otis was a man of many hats—a Christian, a son, father, grandfather, uncle, professor, farmer, soldier, musician, collector/avid recycler and friend. Known affectionately as “PaPa with the Hat” or “Uncle Odie,” he was a stranger to no one. His generous spirit, quick wit, and boundless curiosity allowed him to connect with anyone, and he carried a joy for life that made every conversation memorable.

Born September 11, 1942, in Lenoir, North Carolina; son of Otis Peeler and Mattie Mae Lutz. Otis started making his mark at a young age driving a school bus for Chester County at just 14 years old. He graduated from Chester High School in 1960, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. While at Clemson, he was active in the Pershing Rifles, rising to the rank of Major, and was recognized as a Distinguished Air Force ROTC cadet.

Otis devoted much of his life to service in the United States Air Force. Over the course of his distinguished career, he fought in the Vietnam War, served with the 3902 Air Base Wing of the Strategic Air Command and the Tactical Air Warfare Center. He was a decorated officer, earning honors including the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal, and he proudly held membership in the Caribou Association. In 1985, after two decades of dedicated service, he retired as a Major from the Air Force.

After serving his country, Otis continued to share his many gifts as a professor and Information Systems Engineer at York Technical College, where he devoted 20 years of his life (1988–2008). To those who knew him there, he was far more than a teacher—he was a mentor, a guide, and a true friend. His colleagues and students admired him for his patience, his kindness, his incredible intelligence, and the genuine joy he found in helping others grow.

But Otis’s legacy is not measured only by his professional accomplishments. He was a man who lived with joy and love and gave generously of himself. He used his gifts to volunteer for many organizations and schools. He was a Master of Technology, he farmed, he taught, he served. Otis even played the triangle in the East Harper Toy Band! More than anything, he loved people; he loved to look you in the eye, and he had a rare gift for making everyone he met feel like a friend.

Otis Plato Lutz will be remembered as a loving, compassionate, generous, and incredibly intelligent man whose life was filled with serving others, laughter, and heaps of love. His memory will live on in the countless lives he touched.  He loved everybody unconditionally.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Missions Fund at Capers Chapel, 1683 Lowrys Hwy., Chester, SC 29706.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.