Otto Van Ry

Otto Thomas Van Ry peacefully went home to his Heavenly Father and his wife Karolyn in the early morning hours of Wednesday September 13th 2023.  Otto lived a full, happy and blessed life. Otto is survived by Brad (Katie) Van Ry, Kevin (Pam) Van Ry, and his daughter Denise Van Ry. There are also seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all of whom he loved very much.
Otto grew up in Bountiful, Utah born to Margaret Lake and Otto (Dutch)on March 18, 1942. He was the youngest of the four children.  He was a handful growing up. He was always riding his bike or playing sports or hiking the mountains behind his house.  He was the first high school athlete to hit a home run at Dirks field.  A very proud moment for him which he talked about till late in his life.  He was proud to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in our ancestors home of Holland. He was also offered a professional position to play baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates, however he chose to marry our mother Joy and start a life with her. Two years or so into their marriage Otto joined the FBI and  welcomed the twins Brad and Kevin into this world. These boys were the apple of his eye all his life.  Several years later the birth of his daughter Denise came in the summer of 1969.
In 1979 we moved to Reno and mom and dad divorced. The boys were very active in football, basketball, and baseball. Dad never missed a game. He would proudly sit back and watch these twins excel at everything they did.
He was also a special agent for the FBI for 30 years that he indeed was also proud of.  His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ stayed with him as a huge part of his life until his last breath.
After the divorce, he reunited with Karolyn (passed) who was a high school sweetheart. They married in the temple and she became his eternal soul mate. They golfed and traveled the world together. They enjoyed Christmas immensely and buying gifts for their families.
He loved golf, played everyday but never really got much better at it. He had a home on the golf course in Fernley, Nevada and it was hard for him to leave that behind when Karolyn passed. But he did so with the bravery and honor with which he did everything else in his life.  He had a very specific code of honor that he followed his entire life.
Otto had a very special magical personality about him that everyone he met could see and feel. He had an unforgettable laugh that could bust up a whole room full of people over the silliest thing. His laugh…will be remembered by all who knew him.
Otto was the smartest and kindest man we knew.  He had many accomplishments in life, but his children were the biggest for him.
Otto was classy, refined, and the total definition of a gentleman.  He really was a combination of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.  He was a fantastic father who taught us the gospel,  and to be kind and respectful to others.  He always insisted that we love our fellow man and each other.
Rest in peace Dad.  Your love will be with all of us forever. We pray that God will be with us as you will be with him.  Till we meet again…
In lieu the flowers please donate to Wounded Warriors Project.
Celebration of Life September 30th from 1 to 3 pm at Michael Washburn residence.
356 Grand View Drive, Farmington Utah 84025.