Joseph Anthony Oths, 81, born December 6, 1934 in Valhalla, New York, was called home to that great courtroom in the sky on January 4, 2016, at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after a lengthy illness. Joe had a deep and abiding faith in God. He was at peace because he knew it was all part of the Lord’s plan.
Joe was born to Martha (Walker) and Joseph W. Oths. He was greeted by sister Marie and his arrival was soon followed by sisters Martha, Patricia, Kathryn and Gloria. He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School, University of Dayton and Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where he graduated first in his class, despite working full-time and being father to three small children.
While attending the University of Dayton, Joe met and married Suzanne Kronauge in 1956. They lovingly produced five children: Mike, Kathy, Cricket, Jenny, and Amy. In 1982, Joe married Jane Gaston and inherited four more daughters; Debbie, Cathy, Laurie, and Stacey whom he could not have loved more if they were his own.
In 1961, Joe started practicing law with Harry B. Reese in Wellston, Ohio and took over the practice following Harry’s death shortly thereafter. Joe had many partners and colleagues over the years and formed the firm currently practicing as Oths, Heiser, and Miller. Upon retirement he and his wife Jane moved to her hometown of Baton Rouge.
While Joe was the consummate small town lawyer, he rose to statewide prominence within his profession as president of the Ohio State Bar Association. Besides his long term commitment to the Bar, he also served as Wellston’s City Solicitor and was deeply involved in local, state, and national politics working on many social issues and Democratic campaigns.
He never met a stranger and his influence is best described in this tribute by a colleague:
Joe was one fine lawyer and human being. He was a great mentor for the younger lawyers and he always had a kind word or a good pointer or two. He will be sadly missed by all who had the honor and privilege to have met him, or better yet, to have called him a friend.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents and sister Patsy Downey, brothers-in-law, Hank Zaranski and Don Hannon, and former brother- and sister-in- law Paul and Peggy Kronauge. Joe is survived by his wife, Jane, children Mike Oths (Susan Burke) of Boise, Idaho; Kathy Oths (Bill Dressler) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Cricket Masson (Mark) of Germantown, Maryland; Jennifer Martindill (Greg) of Danville, Illinois; Amy Montgomery (Eric) of Xenia, Ohio; Debbie Roth of Alpharetta, Georgia; Cathy Gravois (Kevin) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Laurie Gaston of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Stacey Nicchio (MJ) of Austin, Texas; and sisters Marie Zaranski, Martha Hannon, Kathy Whalen, and Gloria Gustavson (Bob), all of Carolina Shores, North Carolina. He is also survived by grandchildren Jacob Oths; Corey, Katie and Matt Masson; Natalie (Steve) Martindill Tassio, Nigel and Anna Martindill; Kent and Evan Montgomery; Morgan and Chandler Roth; Paul, Kelly and Mark Gravois; and Grayson, Miles and Peyton Nicchio. He is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Joe loved a good story, fine food, Mozart, and a premium glass of scotch (with or without milk), but most of all he loved his family. His family truly recognizes and appreciates these gifts and the many other values that he instilled in them. Until the end, he never stopped smiling. We know his wish for all of you is to raise a glass, smile, and keep his memory alive in laughter and stories.
Visitation will be Friday, January 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel on the Campus in Baton Rouge, with a memorial service to follow at noon. A celebration of Joe’s life is planned for Spring, 2016 in Wellston, Ohio. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge. Please visit Rabenhorst.com to offer condolences.