Nicolaas Jozef Jacobus 'Jack' Otten

Nicolaas Jozef Jacobus Otten "Jack", born Oct. 5, 1922 in Kerkrade, Netherlands (Holland), the youngest of four boys and a girl born to Jacob Robert Otten and Maria A. Alberts Otten, devout Catholics. Jack lived a colorful life. During WWII he and his brothers worked in the Dutch Underground following Hitler's invasion in May, 1940. Jack had previously seen Hitler, up close, and many times since said, "I should've shot the Bastard." Among other assignments after Jack joined the Royal Dutch Army, he was loaned to the U.S. Army as a translator of German for General George Patton. After the war, Jack was transferred to the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) as Procurement Officer in the Dutch Armored Brigade "Regiment Huzaren van Boreel" who were fighting to keep it a Dutch Colony. He also served as interrogator of enemy gorillas by translating their Malayan and Javanese languages. Once an army buddy did not return to camp; Jack found him dead in the jungle, his body cut into three pieces by a booby trap. In 1949 Sukarno's Communist Regime kicked out the Dutch seizing Indonesia. As a civilian, in 1950 Jack migrated to Australia with only 50 lbs. Sterling. With his exceptional work ethic and vital personality, he carved out a good life in a small "outback" township and, after various endeavors, became proprietor of a successful restaurant. Also, Jack served as translator for local courts. In 1957, Jack brought from Holland, Adriana Smeelen, to be his bride. They were blessed with daughter, Yvonne, and son, Robbie. Australia's economy became depressed. So, Jack packed up his young family and migrated in 1961 to California, U.S.A. "The Land of Opportunity, where anyone, willing to work, can make a good living," he often said. Working and saving, Jack was soon proprietor of his own popular coffee shop restaurant in Whittier, CA. His wife earned degrees and became a college professor. His son and daughter grew up living the "American Dream." But, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," they say. The marriage faded and Jack became single again. He joined H.O.P., a growing package manufacturing company, supervising up to 30 women on the line. Jack's "continental" manners and energetic ways brought him many friends at work, with neighbors and in world wide places he traveled. Feb. 1980, Jack met D.J. Twyman, divorcee with sons 12 and 15 in Corona. Their 22 year age difference, no matter. Most every weekend for 4+ years, Jack drove 30 miles to see D.J. Their four children and scores of friends celebrated at their wedding, July 21, 1984. Jack retired after 16 years at H.O.P. and turned a "side job" selling architectural supplies into a thriving venture. The summer of 1987 was devastating. Son, Robbie, who had moved back to Australia at 18, was flown to a Sydney hospital. Jack flew there, joining Rob's "Mum" and sister. But, doctors remained perplexed and, after 3 months, sent Rob home for God to take him at age 28, leaving wife, Kim and 2 daughters, ages 2 years and only 3 months. All our hearts broke. Rob was Jesus' treasure! After one day visiting beautiful Prescott, AZ in 1989, the Ottens bought a house and shortly moved. One week per month Jack served his Calif. customers while acquiring every customer from here to Sedona with his excellent service, low prices and frank wit. D.J. was an office mgr./bookkeeper, then attended Yavapai College. Jack stood proud as she received her AA Degree. The Ottens traveled to Mexico, 7 European countries, Australia, New Zealand and other islands. In 1996 D.J. had cancer. D.J. recovered, but eventually the marriage did not. After the divorce they lived apart, always friends. When Jack had a heart attack, D.J. moved in to care for him. Feb. 2001 Jack sent D.J. with Calvary tour to Israel, when she met Don Williams. They married five months later, with Jack walking D.J. down the isle. They lived close and after Jack's C.O.P.D. worsened to the point he could not live alone, Don invited him to live with them in Prescott Vly. The 3 lived content for 4 years. Don and D.J. took Jack along, RV camping, driving to Calif. relatives, Sundays to church, even a trip to Holland using wheelchair and oxygen for Jack's Indonesia Regiment Boreel Reunion. Observing Don's Christian example, Jack's spirit was moved. At 85, Jack carried O2 tank and pushed his walker up our church isle to confess Jesus as his Savior and request baptism. Pastor Berna needed help to raise him up, so Don was in the water to lift Jack. His health declined badly; Jack knew it best he be in a nursing home. D.J. and/or Don visited 5-6 days a week. Jack often voiced appreciation of Don and D.J. For 3 years, Santa Fe House took exceptional care of Jack, then with cancer. Daughter Yvonne and husband Dan, D.J and Don attended Jack's bedside prior to him being healed into heaven on Jan. 27, 2011. In March or April there will be a memorial service for Jack at Bethel Baptist Church, Prescott Valley, AZ. Later, Jack's ashes will be sprinkled around the old castle in Kerkrade, where he played as a child. Jack Otten is survived by daughter, Yvonne Rodriguez of Calif.; granddaughters: Opal and Leah in Australia; step-sons: Fred and Jim Twyman; step-granddaughters: Alyssa, Fallon, Natalie and Jennifer of Calif.; also by nephews and nieces: Jules, Chock, Jose, Jos and MarieJose in Holland.