Roll Call Tribute

Otto Byron Schacht
May 19, 1948 - October 24, 2022

Otto B. Schacht (say it fast) passed away in Denton, Texas on Monday, October 24, 2022. He was born in Lockney, Texas to Fritz and Eleanor Schacht on May 19, 1948. A 1966 graduate of Lockney High School, Otto went on to attend Texas Tech University (B.S. ’70), Central Missouri State University (M.S. ’75) & Texas A&M University (Ph. D. ’78). While working on his Ph. D. at Texas A&M, Otto discovered his calling to teach and educate college students. From September 1975 until the day God called him home, Otto made sure that students always received his best. He was passionate about education, his current and former students, faculty members, administrators, and personnel. Otto liked to say, “If you are not learning, you better be dead. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new.”

Prior to receiving his degree from Texas Tech, Otto received his draft notice and call to serve during the Vietnam War. Rather than waiting for his number to be called, Otto enlisted in the United States Air Force and began Basic Training on March 1, 1971. Over the next 37 years, 2 months and 8 days, Otto served the Country he loved accumulating 35 years, 7 months and 2 days of Federal Military Service in the United States Air Force and the United States Army Reserve. During these years Otto continued to pursue his passion for learning. He is a 1996 graduate of the Air War College seminar and earned the diagnosis of “glut ant for punishment” from his fellow graduates when they learned Otto would then be attending the prestigious Army War College. As you can probably guess, Otto graduated from Army War College in 1999 and on May 19, 2008, Colonel Otto B. Schacht retired and unlaced his boots. Otto considered it a true honor and privilege serve with the many brave and courageous men and women of the United States Air Force and Army Reserve.

When you look at Otto’s life it is clear that he is a man of passion, commitment, and dedication. His first passion, however, is his faith, love, and devotion to his Savior Jesus Christ. Otto served as both a Deacon and an Elder in the Church of Christ and tried every day to live as Christ lived. He loved his first and only wife, Madonna, for 58 years and was blessed when she married him on August 13, 1968, in their hometown of Lockney.

Otto was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Don Schacht. He is survived by his wife Madonna, two sons Otto Jackie-Don and Byron Fritz-Nelson, one grandson Sam Otto-Nelson, one optioned daughter Jo Jarrett Bidwell, one optioned grandson Josh Bidwell, one optioned granddaughter Laura McNutt, two sisters Margaret Schacht and Sarah Cameron (husband David), brother Clar Schacht (wife Judy), brother-in-law BJ Jack, two optioned great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, countless cousins, and a lifetime of dear friends.

A visitation will be held at DeBerry Funeral Home in Denton, Texas on Monday, October 31, 2022 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. with funeral services beginning thereafter with Brother Steve McLean officiating. Otto will then be laid to rest following the service at the DFW National Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, private donations be considered to the Otto B. and Madonna Schacht Endowed Scholarship fund at Wayland Baptist University. A celebration/roast of Otto B. Schacht’s (you truly can’t make this up) life will be held on December 11, 2022 at 2:30 P.M. at the Harral Auditorium on the Waylon Baptist University campus in Plainview, Texas.

For those unable to attend the service on October 31, 2022 you can follow it live at https://www.facebook.com/BillDeBerryFuneralDirectors