Otto Jordan Brittain

Otto Jordan Brittain, 95, passed from this life Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Ridgecrest Retirement Center in Waco.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Zaidee Mildred (Watson), his parents, Otto and Ruth (Jones) Brittain, and his sisters Ruth Dixon, Louise Lindsey, and Joyce Hooser.

Otto was born August 21, 1922 in Lufkin, Texas. He graduated from Lufkin High School in 1941 and was a recipient of the American Farmer award from the National FFA Organization that same year. Following high school, he worked as a rancher before joining the U.S. Navy and serving on a transport ship in the South Pacific during World War II. At the conclusion of his naval service, he continued ranching and worked a couple of years for the USDA on a horseback crew patrolling the Rio Grande River for infected animals during the 1947 aftosa outbreak in Mexico.

Otto married the love of his life, Zaidee Watson, on Easter Sunday in 1950. The couple raised three sons on their ranch in Hudson.

In the late 1970s, Otto founded the Heart J Ranch in Roswell, New Mexico, and operated both the Texas and New Mexico ranches until his retirement in 1996, when he and Zaidee returned to live in Hudson.

Otto is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph Keith Brittain and wife Pat of Waco, Texas, Hilliard Kim Brittain and wife Janie of Garland, Texas, Otto Jordan (Jay) Brittain, Jr. and wife Diana of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Kerri McWilliams and husband Scott of The Woodlands, Laura Harms and husband Ryan of Austin, Allen Brittain and wife Lindsay of Flower Mound, Joe Brittain and wife Shelbii of Plano, and Jordan Brittain of Denton; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Sadie McWilliams and Laney Brittain; brother, Joe Ed Brittain and wife Dixie; sisters, Patricia Brown, Betty Lou Jumper and husband Robert; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Otto will be remembered as a consummate cattleman, devoted family man, friend, and mentor to many.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Old Union Cemetery Association. 461 S. FM 1194 Lufkin, Texas 75904.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Congregational Church, 105 Saddle Creek Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904 with Reverend Randall K. Green officiating. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.