Raymond Otto “Booty” Neitsch, Sr.

Raymond Otto “Booty” Neitsch, Sr., 89, of Gonzales, passed away Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016. Booty was born Sept. 14, 1926 in Gonzales to Henry Richard Neitsch and Anna Marie Sassmanhausen Neitsch.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Methodist Men, the Gonzales American Legion Post 40, Hermann Sons, the Independent Cattlemen’s Association, Texas Trail Rider’s Association and he was a member of the Dairy Farmers of America. He helped build the Independence Park Arena while he was a member of the Noon Lion’s Club and he had taught Sunday school at the First United Methodist Church for many years.

Booty grew up on a dairy farm in Gonzales. He graduated from Gonzales High School with the Class of 1944 and immediately joined the Merchant Marines during WWII. After the war he attended Texas A&M University before returning home to tend to the dairy after the passing of his father.

Booty married Betty Jean Glass on Sept. 7, 1951 in Gonzales. He was called to duty in 1951 to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Booty spent his entire tour of duty on the front lines in Korea and his experiences were never open for conversation. After he was honorably discharged from the Army he went back to working his dairy until 2007 when the dairy closed. However the closing of the dairy didn’t mean retirement, there was still hundreds of acres to farm, chickens to raise and cattle to feed in the feed lots.

Booty was a country man devoted to God, work and his family. He provided a magnificent example to his family in balancing love of hard work, love of family and most of all love of the Lord.

Though he toiled many arduous hours, Booty found time to ground break, break to ride and shoe many horses through the years for his family to enjoy. Granted, most of the colts were green broke, but he had faith his children could put a finish on them. 

Booty and his family rode in 48 consecutive trail rides with the Texas Trail Riders Association starting in Altair and riding all the way to San Antonio and they participated in weekly play days at Independence Park for many years as well. 

Booty was a tough but loving father and proud Pawpaw to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  In retrospect, Booty Neitsch was more than a hard working country man, man of God, family man or servant to our military forces. Independently each of these descriptions of a man is honorable in themselves, all together they make the kind of man that honors God and makes the world a bit better.

Raymond O. Booty Neitsch is survived by his daughters, Jeanette and David Pruett, Cindy Neitsch, son, Ray O. Neitsch, Jr and Judy, sister, Amy Rodenburg all of Gonzales; grandchildren, Jay Pruett, Crystal Ehrig (Michael), Bryan Pruett (Shannon) and Tracey Neitsch; great-grandchildren, Connor, Coby, Mason and Jake Pruett and Lawrence Rowdy Ehrig. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Neitsch; parents; grandson, Michael Neitsch; sister, Olivia Weathersby and brothers, Homer, Milton and Rueben Neitsch. 

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 in the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Andy Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Pecan Branch – Smith Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jay, Bryan and David Pruett, Michael Ehrig, Bryan Glass and Glenn Glass. Honorary pallbearers are Connor, Coby, Mason and Jake Pruett and Lawrence Rowdy Ehrig. 

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church General Fund or Happy House Pre-School. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.